Rolann K Armstrong

Rolann K Armstrong (Soft) passed away peacefully on March 16, 2025 in BIllings Montana after a brief hospital stay. She was surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on September 14, 1952, in Toledo, Ohio, to Roland and Ann Soft. Rolann lived with her parents and siblings (Renee, Rhonda, and Rod) in Genoa, Ohio and they moved to Catawba in 1961 where she attended grade school through the third grade. In 1961, the family moved to Port Clinton, Ohio, and then to Bay Township in 1965. Rolann graduated from Port Clinton High School in 1970, and shortly after, her family relocated to Pendleton, Oregon.

In Pendleton, Rolann attended college at Blue Mountain Community College and graduated in 1972 with her Associates Degree. While there, she met the love of her life, Bob Armstrong. Bob and Rolann both went to the University of Oregon in Eugene. Rolann graduated with a degree in Medical Technology in 1973. Bob and Rolann were married in Pendleton Oregon, on December 15, 1973. Back in Pendleton, Rolann worked at Pendleton Community Hospital and International Labs as a Medical Technologist until 1985. It was there that they started their family of three children Rachael, Robin, and Reid. In 1985, they moved to Portland for Bob’s job at Pendleton Woolen Mills.

In 1986, Rolann and Bob moved to Billings, Montana, when Bob took a job at the Yellowstone Boys Ranch (now Yellowstone Treatment Center). Rolann worked in the math department at Eastern Montana College (now Montana State University-Billings), all while raising their three children. She was active in church and 4-H and became deeply involved in her community. While her children were at home, Rolann ran a clinical library at the Boys and Girls Ranch, worked on her Master’s degree in math at Eastern Montana College, led a 4-H club, ran Bible Quizzing teams, and attended her children’s events all over the state of Montana. After her children graduated from college, Rolann returned to work in the medical field as a Medical Technologist at United Blood Services (now Vitalant) in 2007, where she continued until her retirement in 2019.

Retirement brought with it the joy of some of her favorite activities, spending time with her grandchildren, traveling with family, continuing to support 4-H, and participating in the fiber world with spinning.

Whether she was running them to and from school, taking them to music lessons, or teaching them the fundamentals of baking, she enthusiastically excelled in the grandma department. Her 7 grandchildren knew that she was always there for math tutoring, baking cookies, sewing, and everything else they needed at any moment.

She spent time with 4-H and supported the county by being the president of the Yellowstone County 4-H Foundation, a position that she held near and dear to her heart. She attended the county fair in August every year and participated in the livestock sale to support 4-H members in the county.

Rolann also was an active member of the Prairie Handspinners Guild and loved to create her own yarn using the fiber from her numerous fiber animals living on their 5 acre home.

Rolann lived her life selflessly and radiated such a spirit of love toward people around her. Her love of music, education, and family will forever be in our hearts.

Rolann is preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Ann Soft. She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Bob Armstrong; her children, Rachael and husband Justin McCaffree, Robin Thompson, and Reid and wife Sali Armstrong; and her beloved grandchildren, Jack, Penny, Clara, Greg, Isabel, Spencer, and Tinley.

A celebration of Rolann's life will be held on April 4th, 2025, at 2:00 pm, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. A reception will follow at Zimmerman Shelter at Pioneer Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent

Yellowstone County 4-H Foundation
c/o Roni Baker
PO Box 35012
Billings, MT 59107