Linda Ann Armbruster passed away at home on July 6, 2022, in the arms of her husband Ken, surrounded by their three loving daughters. Linda was born to James and Louise (Gideon) Peterson on February 4, 1946, in Marianna, Arkansas. Her father was a trucker and the family moved to Oregon and California before settling in St. Mary, MO. It was there she met her high school sweetheart, fell in love, and married Ken on November 12, 1966, while he was home on leave. They were happily married for 56 years. Ken’s Air Force career took her to Crete (twice), Taiwan (twice), Italy and Germany sandwiched around a tour at Scott AFB Illinois, ending a 26-year career in Colorado Springs. Linda enjoyed the overseas tours and was a stay-at-home Mom for most of the early years of her marriage until all the girls were in school. She then worked full time in the admin office at Munich schools and coached the High School Volleyball team. An athlete herself, she was an outstanding high school volleyball player and enjoyed playing in ladies softball leagues at every assignment.
Shortly after arrival in Colorado Springs, Linda went to work at the United States Olympic Committee, initially as an administrative assistant in the Olympic Job Opportunity Program, moving on to the Sports Medicine Department and later to the International Games Prep and Apparel Division for 15 plus years where she supported and fitted athletes on Olympic, Paralympic, and World University teams. She enjoyed greeting and meeting all the athletes, from the rookies to the professionals. One of her biggest Olympic thrills was outfitting the 1992 Dream Team. Her job in Games Prep also meant she was always on site for the Paralympic Games where her husband Ken coached, and daughter Jen captained the National Goalball team. Her proudest Paralympic moments were at the 2008 Beijing games, when Jen escorted by Ken carried the flag leading the delegation in opening ceremonies, followed six days later cheering the team on as it captured a gold medal against the host nation.
Linda was the matriarch of a sports loving family. The number of hours she spent on the sidelines and in the stands supporting Ken, her daughters and grandchildren were countless. At her grandchildren’s games there was no doubt who “Grandma” belonged to. She was also a favorite of Ken’s Senior Softball teams members, routinely meeting players after the games.
Linda is preceded in death by her father James and granddaughters Alexis and Kimberly. She is survived by her loving husband Ken, her daughters Stacy Koelfgen (Paul) of Longmont, CO; Michele Campbell (Geordie) of Colorado Springs and Jennifer Armbruster (Jackie) of Clackamas, OR; grandchildren Breanna Gillett (Adison), Matthew and Zachary Koelfgen, Ryder Armbruster, Tyler Higgins and Max Youngheim; and great grandsons (the boys) Anderson and Grady Gillett. She is also survived by her mother Louise and sister Karen Gerleman of St. Mary, MO and brother Robert Peterson (Linda) of Bloomfield, IN.
A celebration of life will be held at Shrine of Remembrance at 1730 East Fountain Boulevard in Colorado Springs at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday July 20. The family requests this be a casual event. USOPC friends are asked to wear USA apparel and softball players a team jersey. A reception will he held on site immediately following.
Interment at Pikes Peak National Cemetery is scheduled on Thursday, 21 July, at 10:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at Donate now to St. Jude and help kids fighting cancer – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) .
Brian & Roxanne Gonzalez
10 Jul 2022Our deepest condolences to Mr Ken and the entire family. Ms Linda was such a beautiful person inside and out. She was one of the kindest people and wonderful people we meet when we moved her to Colorado Springs from Denver. She will be greatly missed.
Amy Peterson
11 Jul 2022Love you Aunt Linda, you will be missed.
Anonymous
12 Jul 2022LINDA you will be missed at the ball field was all ways nice to have you there with me. And playing with you. We had a good time together, You will be missed. Ric and Lana
Ken Kotcher
14 Jul 2022So terribly sorry for your loss. We became acquainted many years ago and very much remember her kindness and good nature. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Carolyn and Kenny Kotcher.
Hutch and Sandie Hutchens
14 Jul 2022So sorry to hear about Linda. We will miss seeing her at Cripple Creek!
Tony & Becky Ponda
18 Jul 2022To Ken, & to Linda’s entire family,
There just are no words to fully express how sorry we are for your loss, of such a wonderful woman…taken way too soon. We hope it’s a comfort to you to know how many people knew and loved her.
Laura Ridler
20 Jul 2022Meeting Linda at the Cascade Goal Ball tournament and spending time at Jen’s house with her was so much fun and a blessing. Her laugh and smile are infectious and her love for her family was always evident.