Dorothy (Anne Scalese) Armstrong Lang, age 72 of Miles City, died October 2, 2017 at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City after an extended battle with cancer. She was born in Great Falls, Montana on March 15, 1945, the daughter of Thomas J. Scalese and Emily Oakes Scalese. The eldest of three children, Dorothy went to grade school in Ferdig and Sunburst, Montana. Dorothy attended Cut Bank High School, where she met her first husband Paul Armstrong in their freshman Algebra class. She graduated from Cut Bank High School in 1963 and received her Bachelors degree in 1967 from Montana State University. She married Paul Armstrong on the Montana State campus in Danforth Chapel on November 23, 1966.
Dorothy taught elementary school in the Bozeman public schools while Paul finished his studies and their first daughter Heidi was born in 1968. Paul’s first teaching job took them to Waldport, Oregon and after a year experiencing the Oregon climate, Paul and Dorothy both found teaching positions in the Gerlach/Empire, Nevada schools, where Dorothy taught the primary grades for five years. Native Montanans missing their home and families, Dorothy and Paul returned to Montana in 1974 and taught in the Corvallis, Montana school district. Daughter Stephanie was born in 1975, and in 1976 the family moved to Miles City.
Dorothy taught in the Custer County rural schools, teaching at both Kircher and Moon Creek Schools- teaching a total of 23 years before changing careers. Her mother, grandmother, aunt and great-aunt were all life-long educators and Dorothy also was a natural teacher who made an impact on her students. She studied at the Slingerland Institute and was trained in specific skills for teaching students with dyslexia or other learning disabilities.
She became a realtor in 1991 and was issued her broker’s license in 1993. Specializing in residential and small rural properties, she continued that career through her retirement in 2015. She was a successful realtor delighting in introducing new families to the Miles City area that she cared so much about. She was known for her professionalism and integrity and recognized by the Montana Association of Realtors with the Golden Eagle Service Award. She embraced the Miles City community and whole-heartedly participated in numerous civic organizations and groups. She was a past president of the Miles City Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Miles City Rotary and Miles City Kiwanis.
Her husband Paul died in 1994 and she married Richard (“Dick”) Lang in 2005. Richard passed away in 2016. She was a wonderful “straight man” for years to two notorious wits and a supporter and advocate of both husbands’ numerous hobbies. She had her amateur radio operator’s license (KA7ELA) and attended numerous “ham radio” events with Paul, participated in the Big Sky Motorcycle Club and the High Plains Classic Car Club and graciously accepted a Six Pac Camper for a Mother’s Day gift. When she married Dick, Dorothy worked on her golf game, re-introduced herself to bridge and actively assisted him in his quilting and fabric acquisition. Dorothy and Dick enjoyed attending live music events of any type and their grandchildren’s sporting events. When they visited their children that lived out-of-state, Dorothy and Dick enthusiastically visited historical sites and other sites of interest and attended concerts and shows.
Dorothy’s paternal grandparents homesteaded in the Sweet Grass hills of Montana and she was raised on a ranch where she learned both a sense of community and gained her life-long work ethic which she generously shared with so many organizations through the years.
She was an accomplished 4-Her and state award winner, winning a trip to the National 4-H Congress. She was a 4-H leader for many years passing on a wide variety of skills from food preservation to embroidery. At Montana State she was selected as member of the SPURS honorary and a member of Delta Gamma Fraternity and made life-long friends through those organizations. She recently attended her Golden Bobcat Reunion at Montana State and relished seeing so many of those special friends again.
In Miles City, her chosen home, Dorothy was a committed member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Delta Kappa Gamma, Southeast Retired Teachers and Trinity Lutheran Church. In recent years, she particularly enjoyed working with the WaterWorks Art Museum and her activities with her Beta Sigma Phi sorority sisters. She was often a quiet but steadfast supporter of any cause that supported youth or Miles City.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, her husbands and a brother-in-law. She is survived by her two daughters, Heidi Armstrong, Cleveland, OH and Stephanie (Guy) Calkins, Stanwood, WA; three step-children, Kris (Kevin) Kirwin, Billings; Rick (Dena) Lang, Miles City; and Jim (Cindy) Lang of the Berkshires, MA; a sister Shirley Wilson, Townsend and a brother Robert (Diane) Scalese, East Glacier Park; three sisters-in-law Becky (David) Powell, Helena; Linda (Dan) Mullan, Stevensville; and Pamela Withers, Cut Bank; a brother-in-law Ken Armstrong, and eight grandchildren: Colton, Payton, Charlie, CJ, Cody, Halli, Guy and Paul; as well as many nieces and nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 5 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Friday, October 6 at 10:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Howard Schreibeis officiating. Interment will follow in the family plot in the Custer County Cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the CCDHS Armstrong-Lang Instrument Fund to provide band instruments for the Miles City schools’ band program grades 5-12.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 5, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday October 6, 2017
Trinity Lutheran Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 5, 2017
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday October 6, 2017
Trinity Lutheran Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
I’m so sorry to hear of Dorothy’s passing. She was such a great person.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your families.
Martha Crandall says
Dorothy u did your best to beat this. My sympathy.
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Prayers for the Lang family.
Dian Welbes says
Prayers to the family.
Lindy Annalora says
I got the chance to get to know Dorothy when I sold my house and bought the land for my new one. I enjoyed our visits so much. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends. Rest in peace, Dorothy.
JIM & KAREN ELLIOT says
DOROTHY, YOU WERE A GREAT MOTHER, TEACHER, WIFE, AND FRIEND. REST IN PEACE!!
JIM & KAREN ELLIOT
James & Marjorie Bolejack Anderson says
This special lady was probably one of the best teachers I ever had. Amazing woman! She even taught my oldest daughter embroidery as a 4-H leader years ago. She will be missed by many. Rest in Peace!
Sandy Rabe says
I will always have special memories of delivering Meals on Wheels with Dorothy. Heaven has a wonderful new Angel!
Stephanie Bostic says
I am sadden by the news of Dorothy’s passing. I had the opportunity to meet her 10 years ago when I arrived in MC and she helped me not only find a home but feel at home. She was a wonderful lady that will be greatly missed!!
Jared Bankey says
Steph and family of Miss Dorthy,
Your mom was a beautiful woman in her personality, integrity, and actions. Hope that these words comfort you on the loss of your mother. I will always remember her sweet smile and beautiful nature. May God keep you in his embrace at this difficult time. Your mom was a very special lady and loved by everyone who knew her. Please know that we share in your grief and extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
JR and Carol Bean says
So sorry for your loss. Dorothy was a wonderful, strong lady. God’s peace!
carol schneidt says
My thoughts and prayers are with Dorothy’s family.
Pam Rogge says
Prayers and condolences to Dorothy’s family.
Katherine Flint says
Doug and I were so sorry to hear this. Dorothy and I started our journey at the same time. She will be missed.
We will have another bright star in heaven.
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles & Jim Liles says
Oh, this is so sad. We will miss Dorothy’s lovely personality and beautiful smile. Condolences to her family.
Mary Ann & Jim Liles
Denise Harvey says
To all of Dorothy’s family and friends,
A wonderful soul has left our community but has also left our community a better place by her service as an educator, 4-H leader, community member, and a person who always was in service of those around her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you,
Denise and Jay Harvey
Deljean Hilderbrand says
Dorothy did her best throughout her journey…but it was not enough. I am thankful for her family…it has not been an easy time for any of you and I know you would not have had it any other way. Dorothy was a very dear DAR sister to me and I will miss our times together.
Blessings to her family and friends.
Deljean Hilderbrand
Laurena and Ken Stephens says
To Dorothy’s Family
So very sorry to hear of Dorothy’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to all of you. I went to high school and college with Dorothy (and Paul). She was a wonderful person and I know she will be missed by many.
Dannette Cremer says
Heidi, Steph and family,
My sympathy to all of you on the loss of your mom. I enjoyed working with her for so many years. She had so many talents and I especially loved “show and tell” when she would bring in one of her newly made craft items ready to be shipped off to one of her girls. Definitely not fair that she and Dick couldn’t enjoy their retirement for a longer period of time. She will surely be missed.
Dannette Cremer
Karma Johnson says
So very sorry. Dorothy was such a special friend to my mom Wanda Kison for decades.
Jessie and Jim Leidholt says
Dorothy was a dear friend and will be very much missed
Doug and Diane Ellingson says
Our condolences on your loss of Dorothy. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Carol Pattie Fisher says
My deepest sympathy to Dorothy’s family. She was a great friend and loved by many. I went to school with Dorothy and Paul in Cut Bank and at MSU. I was at her wedding to Dick and was so happy for her. She will be greatly missed.
Pete Stabio says
Dorothy was such a gentle soul. Her smile could turn a bad day into a positive experience. It has been years since I visited with Dorothy but I still feel blessed to have known her.
Cameron Laird Burton says
Stephanie, Heidi, Kris, Rick, and Jim: Even as our hearts are broken anew, may it bring you all some small comfort to know how many of us share in your loss. Dorothy was part of the village that it took to raise the Lairds and so many others in Miles City, and I have a lifetime of simple memories that I cherish. She was a wonderful woman and I am blessed to have been part of her village. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers…
Cindy Johnson Stevick says
Rest In Peace, my friend! From the early years at Stephanie’s baptism to lots of fun in Miles City, I was honored to serve with you on the Montana Assiciation of Realtors Board of Directors and garner your assistance in selling my parents home in MC! You are loved by many who will hold you in their hearts! May God wrap you in his loving arms as you enter your eternal home. Bless You, Dorothy!
Fred Anderson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with Dorothy’s family. We shared many good times together and are sad to hear of her passing. She is in a better place now beyond the suffering. May you rest in Peace.
Fred & Vicky Anderson
Ted and Roberta Danielson says
We were saddened to hear about Dorothy’s passing. I had talked to her recently, recalling grade school days at Ferdig Mt. Happy times for sure. This was in the 50’s, which doesn’t seem that long ago. Prayers sent to all of Dorothy’s love ones.
Tom Herzog says
Mrs (Armstrong) was my Jr High teacher at Kircher. She made us all “toe the line” as no other. (How many of us had to write “sentences” for our misbehavior?) In hindsight, she was also one that made huge academic and progress with our classes. (I still remember our desks lined up in front of the chalkboard trying to grasp Algebra.) Perhaps best of all was her desire to make us productive young men and women. Truly a very special teacher. It was always a joy to see her over the years. Prayers for Heidi and Stephanie and all the family.
Terri and Ray Schmidt says
We are so sorry for your loss. During my real estate career, I loved working with Dorothy on a real estate transaction as I knew it was going to be done correctly and with professionalism. She will be missed by so many. Please know you are all in our hearts and thoughts during this difficult time.
Richard Olsen says
Dorthy, Paul, and I grew up in Cut Bank and attended high school there. Dorthy lived next to me, and Paul was my best friend. We had such fun together in high school. I will always remember the great times we had together. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Joan Monaghan says
Stephanie and Heidi: I am sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. I had a nice visit with her in Miles City about 2-3 years ago. I always enjoyed our friendship. Years and miles have separated me from Miles City, but I will say a prayer and will be thinking of you on Friday.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Dorothy was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed. My sincere sympathy to all her family & friends.
Joyce and Johnny Roberts says
Dorothy was a wonderful lady. We knew her since she was in high school. We were happy to see her grow up, marry and have a family. We were related to Paul Armstrong. Visiting with her and family was a joy. Was so happy to have Dorothy and Dick visit us in Florida. They enjoyed visiting Kennedy Space Center and chatting with a astronaut. I was an admirer of Dick’s quilting talents. I treasured Dorothys friendship.
Shelley Flanigan Kilbon says
Heidi, I’m so sorry. My condolences to the whole family for your loss. You’re in my thoughts.
Denise DeVault says
Our deepest sympathy to the family. We met Dorothy as our realtor moving from Wyoming to Miles City. Dorothy was amazing at helping us find our home, and when it was time to sell our house she took great care of us. It was always great running into Dorothy, she was very friendly and nice to our family while we lived in Miles City.
It saddens us to hear of her passing.
Deb Schmeling says
Sorry to hear about Dorothy’s passing. May God wrap His loving arms around each one of you. Cherish all the memories that are dear to your heart.
Deb Schmeling
Michele Mickolio says
Dorthy helped us find our home here in Miles City. She was one of my first friends here. She was so kind and I always enjoyed visiting with her. She left a lasting impression with me. She was radiant with kindness and appreciation. Wow she was a blessing to so many. Prayers to the Lang family. Rest in God’s Peace.
Tana Kiel says
I’m sorry for your loss. Dorothy touched the hearts of many and will not be forgotten.
Mardee Zook Guyer says
Heidi and Stephanie, I am so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. She was one of my most influential teachers and 4-H leaders. She set high standards and made me WANT to be better. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Connie Lambright says
I was saddened to hear of Dorothy’s passing just today. Dorothy made us feel at home in Miles City. I remember the day she told us, “I have found your house.” It was exactly right for us. She was a very special lady and will be missed.