Bernadine “Deanie” Loretta Armstrong

February 19, 1948 – September 3, 2026

Bernadine “Deanie” Loretta Armstrong, 78, of Grove, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2026, with Chris Martin, her loving partner of 16 years, by her side.

Born February 19, 1948, in Detroit Lakes, MN, Deanie was the fifth of seven children born to Lora and Lawrence Moss. She was preceded in death by her parents and older siblings, Laurence “Sonny” Moss and Valerie Schulz and survived by siblings Myrna (Regg) Wenaas, Dianna Jokela, Bruce Moss and LaDawn (Randy) Anderson along with many nieces and nephews and their families. Growing up in a large farming family helped shape the resilience, generosity, and deep love of family she carried throughout her life.

Deanie married her high school sweetheart, Roger Smith, in August of 1965 and together they had three daughters: Ronnette Smith, Randi Peterson (Carl) and Raedeen Kougias (Thomas). She was a proud grandmother to Kailyn Smith, Anthony Kougias, Haley West, Kennedy Kazen, and Cage Peterson, and great-grandmother to Remi, Ripley, Wyatt, Eli, and Nova.

To Deanie, however, family was never limited by biology. Many people considered her a second mom, including Lisa Justin, who lived with the family during her senior year of high school. Deanie had a special way of welcoming people into her home and making them feel they belonged.

Thoughtful by nature, Deanie remembered birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions and was known for the personal notes and cards she sent to those she loved. She made people feel remembered and valued.

Independent and energetic, Deanie loved skiing, biking, walking, gardening, and working on her homes. She owned and operated her salon, Shear Designs, for 28 years. Her salon became more than a business—it was a place of friendship, laughter, conversation, and connection.

Deanie LOVED music and dancing, particularly western and ballroom. Fittingly, it was on the dance floor that she met Chris, with whom she would share the final 16 years of her life. They were perfectly paired and mesmerizing to watch!

She was also an excellent cook who loved nothing more than gathering friends and family around her table. Some of the best memories, however, came when things didn’t go quite as planned.

One Thanksgiving became family legend when everyone discovered that Deanie had prepared the turkey but forgotten to turn on the oven. With dinner suddenly hours away, the cocktails and wine began to flow while the turkey finally cooked. Before long, the waiting guests were Christmas caroling through the neighborhood. A potential Thanksgiving disaster became one of the family’s favorite stories.

That was part of the magic of Deanie: things didn’t have to be perfect to become perfect memories.

Deanie’s life is best measured by the people she loved and who loved her—the children who considered her another mom, the handwritten notes that arrived at just the right time, the music and dancing that brought her joy, the friends and family gathered around her table, and the stories that will continue to bring laughter when her name is mentioned.

She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have shared in her life.