David Edward Armbrister, age 80, died Friday, May 7, 2021, at his home in rural Trego Co., Kansas after a short battle with cancer. He was born April 29, 1941, in Hays, Kansas at St. Anthony Hospital to Ed and Martha (Sauer) Armbrister. He attended grade school in rural Trego County through 8th grade where his mother Martha had been a school teacher and then graduated with the Class of 1959 from Ellis High School. He met Mickey Ruth Foster when he was a patient at Hadley Hospital where she worked. He married Mickey Ruth Foster September 6, 1969, she preceded him in death April 21, 2015.
David began farming his family’s farm at a young age until his passing. He loved feeding, checking and watching his cattle grow. He loved planting, and harvesting his wheat and milo crops with all his family helping with the harvest as well as many others through the years. He also loved spending time with his family, grandkids and great grandkids showing them the family farm. He enjoyed his time visiting with family, friends and about anyone who wanted to take the time to converse. He started his Basic Training in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO on Jan. 6th, 1964 then completed his training Feb. 27th, 1964 and finished his final training at Ft. Carson, CO. He then joined the National Guard 995th Maintenance Company in Hays, KS and attended many of the 995th Maintenance Company reunions in recent years. He was a member of the American Legion Post in Hays, KS and also a member of St. John Lutheran Church rural Ellis. He served for a period of time as a board member at the Golden Belt Coop Ellis, KS.
He is survived by his children, daughter, Davon Armbrister and significant other Mark Harbold, Ellis; sons, Michael (Gennie) Armbrister, Ellis; and Darin Armbrister, Ellis. Grandchildren, Kourtney (Skyler) Talkington, Ellis, KS; Aaron Schinstock, Washington DC, Brody and Bryce Armbrister, Ellis, KS; Alexa and Adam Armbrister, Hays, KS, Bailey (Keeli) Harbold, Hutchinson, KS, and great grandchildren, Hunter, Kymber, and Briar Talkington, Ellis, KS; brother-n-laws, Mack (Donna) Foster Lakewood, CO, Don (Arline) Foster, Sun City West, AZ, Jack Shull, Neodesha, KS, sister-n-laws, Carol Foster, Tulsa, OK, Mary Foster, Winfield, KS; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews and Friends and also his current best friend, family pet, Callie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mickey; and his brother and sister-n-law, Harold and Carolyn Armbrister; sister-n-laws, LeOpal (Cecil) Royalty; Nina Belle (Loren) Donohue; Nancy (Bob) Blair; Carol Shull; Mary (William) Clark; Lucy Bennett; Sally (Joe) Birkle; brother-n-laws, William (Esther) Foster; David Foster; and Daniel Foster.
The family suggests memorials to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ellis, KS. Donations made payable to the organization, may be sent in care of Keithley Funeral Homes, PO Box 86, Hays, KS, 67601.
Services will be 11:00 AM July 17th, 2021 at St. John Lutheran Church. Memorial visitation will be 10:00 AM until service time. Keithley Funeral Chapel of Ellis will be handling the services.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]