Sophia A. (Wiegele) Armbruster, 92, of Gem, Idaho, entered into rest on November 9, 2011 at the Silver Wood Good Samaritan of Silverton, Idaho. She was born December 3, 1918 at Wallace, Idaho; Sophia was the daughter of Michael “Mike” and Antoinette “Nettie” Wiegele.
Sophia attended and graduated from the Wallace High School in 1938. She then attended the Kelsey Baird Business School of Spokane, Washington. Sophia then returned to the Silver Valley and obtained her first bookkeeping position at Tabors of Wallace. She then was employed in the Shoshone County Treasurer’s office and the Coeur d’ Alene Hardware and Foundry of Wallace. Sophia was last employed at the ASARCO Mining office for twenty years; she retired in 1975.
Sophia was married to Ralph Armbruster on March 3, 1946 at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Parish of Burke, Idaho. Sophia and Ralph resided in the home that Ralph and Mike Wiegele built on Granite Site.
Sophia was a member of the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Wallace, Idaho, a member of the Catholic Daughters, former treasurer of the Silver Valley Senior Center, a former board member of the Silver Wood Good Samaritan of Silverton; she was also active in organizing several class reunions for her Wallace High School graduating class of 1938. Sophia loved and enjoyed her family, pine needle art, needle point and cooking- she loved to entertain especially at holidays. Her major concern was always the welfare and the very best for her community.
Sophia is survived by her nephew Norman and his wife Pat Wiegele of Spokane, Washington; her two nieces Willeen and her husband William Kirby of Richmond, Virginia and Marie and her husband Robert Lavendure of Hauser Lake, Idaho; she is also survived by many great-nieces and great-nephews. Sophia was preceded in death by her parents Mike and Nettie Wiegele, her husband Ralph Armbruster in 1999 and two brothers and their wives Bill and Rachael Wiegele and Kenneth and Dorothy Wiegele.
Cremation was held and a Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Wallace, Idaho with Father Tom Loucks serving as celebrant. Inurnment will be held at the Coeur d’ Alene Memorial Gardens of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho at a future date.
The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Silver Wood Good Samaritan, P.O. Box 358, Silverton, Idaho 83867 or to the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Wallace, Idaho.
SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORY KELLOGG, IDAHO is entrusted with funeral arrangements.
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Sophie A. is my grandmother Gehlsen (Armbruster)'s sister-in-law. I made a pine needle basket with Sophie when I visited her and Ralph for spring break in 1991. A cougar walked across their yard while I was out hiking and was still at the creek across the road when I got back. Fond and grateful memories. -- Karen Stafford-Brown
Aunt Sophie was my godmother and I will never forget her loving and kind nature. She and Ralph were definately a match made in heaven. She will always be in my heart. -- Pam Kupsch
My dearest Aunt Sophie! It was you and your family that helped our family feel welcome in the Silver Valley. You will always be remembered with love and fondness. Anna (Suveg) Kestell
My condolences go out to you for your loss. -- Susan Sullivan
My condolences to the family, I miss sophie, having coffee and cookies with her. -- Mitch Alexander, Sheriff
