Vada Mae Armbrust

A bedrock of the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn communities, Vada Armbrust, 96, died peacefully in her home surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren on May 3rd.

Vada Mae Doyle was born February 22, 1930, in Glen Ellyn, the fifth of nine children. She attended St. Petronille grammar school and Glenbard West High School. A mother of seven, grandmother of 30, and great-grandmother of 38 (with one on the way), she was deeply connected to and took pride in all members of her family. She led a simple yet extraordinary life, entirely focused on faith, family, and friends.

Vada married Art Armbrust of Wheaton in 1951. They started their family in 1952 and have delighted in each new member ever since. It was clearly their shared joy to raise their children with encouragement, forgiveness, consistency, faith, and above all love. All seven children graduated from St. Michael's and St. Francis, two communities that meant a great deal to Vada. She could be found in one of the front pews for 75 years.

"Everyone is welcome" was not a cliché to Vada and Art; it was a lifestyle choice. Everyone who entered the front door of her Wheaton home or joined impromptu warm weather gatherings on the driveway felt welcome. You’ll hear many grandchildren, in-laws, and friends proudly note, “I was her favorite.” Remarkably, each one of them is right, that’s how vast her heart is.

From time to time her sisters would kid that she was “Queen Vada.” The truth is we all thrived living in her queendom where she ruled with unconditional love. She came to her kids’ and grandkids’ games, sacraments, weddings, performances, celebrations, state championships (!), and graduations. She wanted to hold all the babies and perform her “eye winker, nose dropper, mouth eater, chin chopper, gully gully gully” magic on them until giggles erupted from both sides.

Her laughter brightened our days. Surrounded by her sisters, sisters-in-law, and their many daughters and granddaughters, the third weekend in July would hear her joyful singing and laughing year after year, shout out to all the Doyle Dames whose antics put a sparkle in her eyes.

First to catch her in heaven was her husband of 57 years, Arthur Armbrust, followed by an avalanche of angels -- her parents, Edna and Edward Doyle, her grandson, Casey Armbrust, and her great grandson, Jack Beck Rogers, followed by her siblings and their spouses: Mary (and John) Rohrs, Ed (and Betty) Doyle, Joanne (and Tony) Loichinger, Pat (and Bud) Wasmond, Herbie (and Bob) Bollweg, and Susan Doyle (and husband Dick Oberg).

Carrying her presence into each day are her seven children, Carol (Dan) Doody, Dave (Chickie), Jan (Dennis) Beck, Steve (Janet), Rich (Marianne), Mary (Chuck) DeMars, and Mike (Tammy) Armbrust; her beloved sister Rosemary (the late Tom) Franke; her sister in law Judy (the late Bob) Doyle; and her grandchildren: Adam (Jessie) and Sara Doody, Rachel (Chris) Griffith; Doyle and Kyle Armbrust, Rose (Darrin) Griffin; Nicole (Jimmy) Rogers, Lauren (Zach) Stutzman, Mark (Samantha) and Brian (Carrie) Beck; Dan (Erin) and Jake (Fabi) Armbrust, Jessica (Doug) Golan, Genna (Dave) Palash, Matt, Luke, and Nick Armbrust; Patrick (Kristina) and Sean (Lauren) and Kellie Armbrust, Claire (Scott) Nettesheim; Charlie, Annie, Grace, and Ryan DeMars; and Jack, Emma, Julia and Colt Armbrust.

Vada radiated strength -- steadfast in her faith, certain who she was, and present for others. Always looking forward and leaning in, never dwelling on the past, and grateful for her blessings. She looked forward in faith to the joy that awaited her.

Visitation will take place at St. Michael’s Parish in Wheaton on Monday, May 18th from 4-8pm. Enter through Doors 12 & 13

A mass of celebration will be held on Tuesday, May 19th at 10am at St. Michael’s Church, with a burial following immediately in St. Michael’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Michael’s Parish and the Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood Foundation.

NOTE: TO ALL FLORISTS

FLOWERS ARE TO BE DELIVERED TO CHURCH (DOOR 8) ONLY ON MONDAY 5/18/2026 BETWEEN 11:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M. - NO EXCEPTIONS

NO FLOWERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT FUNERAL HOME.