Andrea "Ande" Armstrong

Andrea Jewel (Rylander) Armstrong, age 63, of River Falls, WI, formerly of Wyoming, MN, passed away on June 7, 2022.

She is preceded in death by father, Vernon Rylander; Godparents, Jim and Lynn Nickisch

Ande is survived by daughter, Jessica Woychik; son, Adam Armstrong; mother, Patricia Rylander; siblings, Kristi (Morris) Eisert, Craig (Jane) Rylander, Wade Rylander, Luke Rylander; grandchildren, Julius, Elias, Lila, Violet, Emma; and many dear cousins, nieces and nephews.

Ande was a good friend. Her love for horseback riding introduced her to a lot of awesome people.  Through trail rides, wagon trains, rodeos and horse shows she made her way into the hearts and memories of many, and them into hers.

Ande was also involved with the ideas and planning of Wyoming Stagecoach Days, and continued to contribute to the event throughout the years- one of her most fun ideas being the pie eating contest held at her church.

Ande's eye for art was astounding. Most of it was flea market and thrift store finds, but somehow her meticulously put together array gave admirers the experience of a professional, elaborate art gallery. Her home was always cozy and welcoming.

She was known for randomly knocking on a friend or family member's door, holding a bouquet of wildflowers she had picked for them (always wrapped in a wet paper towel)- and for pulling over abruptly to dig up some sort of charming plant or flower from the ditch. Ande loved taking walks in the woods to search for Jack In The Pulpit and listen to birds, while always reminding anyone with her to "look up!". There was always a little something from those walks on her windowsill-  a robin's eggshell, unique rock, tiny feather, or some other little treasure she had collected from nature. She also never turned down an invite to a good bonfire or a chance to cut some of someone's rhubarb!

Ande tremendously loved her grandchildren. She taught them how to read recipes and bake, play dominoes and slap jack, plant gardens, and spit watermelon seeds. A sleepover at Grammie's meant maybe a stop at the hardware store, feeding the birds, a "jammie walk" after dinner, watching The Wizard of Oz (her favorite) with rootbeer floats, and a "nest" on the living room with a tent over it.  She wrapped birthday presents with fancy ribbon, never missed a baseball game or school concert, left simple heartfelt inscriptions in books, and bragged incessantly to anyone she could about her grandkids.

When she moved to River Falls in 2011 she got a job at the local grocery store deli. Everyone knew her and appreciated her patience and efforts to be kind and thoughtful with their orders. She made friends in town easily- always paying bills in person, inquiring about someone's hand made goods, and keeping all her shopping local. One day she popped in to the boxing gym downtown, and before she knew it, she was in the ring with a professional boxer! Ande could also be found at every River Falls Fighting Fish home baseball game. She even got to meet Baseball Hall of Fame's Dave Winfield at the hometown field (and brag to all of her baseball fanatic family about it!).

Please help us celebrate what a wonderful person Ande was.

A memorial service will be held at 2 PM, on Friday, June 17, 2022, at Wyoming United Methodist Church, 5459 E Viking Blvd, Wyoming, MN.

There will be a gathering prior to the service from 12-2, immediately followed by a family burial at Wyoming Methodist Cemetery after.

Please join the family for lunch with Ande's favorite live music at the church following the burial.