Albert Lee Allen died of Pancreatic Cancer in his home with his family close by his side on Thursday, July 18, 2024. He had recently moved to Davis, CA, with his wife Sharon (Chambers) Allen to be closer to family, however his home will forever be tied to the Palmyra Iowa area. His life of service to his faith, family, friends, community, and country will be celebrated on Saturday, August 17th, 11AM at the Community United Presbyterian Church (CUPC) in Hartford, Iowa. Visitation will be held prior to services from 9:30 to 11AM, where family will be present from 10 to 11 AM. Inurnment of cremains with military rites will follow services in the Palmyra Cemetery, Palmyra, Iowa.
Born on Tuesday, May 11, 1943, in Prole, Iowa, Albert was the first of 4 children to Ronald Albert Allen and Ardis Eveyln (Porter) Allen. Albert talked fondly of growing up near Butcher Creek in a small home with his siblings. He graduated from Hartford High School in 1962, the last graduating class before the consolidation of the Hartford and Carlisle schools.
Albert’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. He accepted Christ in his mid-20’s and both he and his wife, Sharon, raised their children in the church. With early ties to the then Palmyra Methodist Episcopal Church, they moved to the CUPC in Hartford. Albert and Sharon remain members of the CUPC where they volunteered their time with the Mariners, served on many of the church’s governing committees, volunteered for the youth programs like LOGOS and Vacation Bible School, and taught Sunday School for many years. His passion was connecting children to the word of God and one of his students remembered, quite fondly, how he integrated the lyrics of Cyndi Lauper’s song “True Colors” into one of their Sunday School lessons. The theme of that lesson and one that has stayed the course over his life was one of love. Albert and Sharon were both honored by the Presbytery of Des Moines Iowa’s Older Adult Ministry Task Force on Saturday, October 5, 2019, in recognition for their life of service to the church.
Albert honored his country by serving in the Army from 1963 to 1966 as a Specialist E5. He was stationed in Germany and was able to see a lot of Europe during this time. He was a chef and this is where he learned to cook. He was honorably discharged after his time of service. Albert worked for General Mills after his time in the Army. He then took a labor job at the tire plant in Des Moines, Iowa and was a dues paying member of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 164 for over 35 years. Albert retired in 2001 and he worked various jobs until he found a position as a custodian at the Carlisle School District and worked at the Harford location, which is where he retired from in 2011.
Service to the community was abundant. Albert served on Hartford’s City Council for 2 consecutive 2-year terms in the early 1980’s then was elected mayor twice for 1-year terms. Albert’s major accomplishment, during this time, was to pass the infrastructure project to upgrade this small community’s individual septic-based system to a shared city sewer system and to raise the East water tower. Also, during this time, he served as a volunteer for the Hartford Fire Department. Albert was an Assistant Scoutmaster for Hartford’s Boy Scout Troop 185 spending countless hours at weekly meetings, camp outings, and participating in fundraisers. Albert also belonged to the Hartford Masonic Lodge #83. He had served in many roles including master, but most notable you would see him as one of the members serving pancakes on the third Saturday as their monthly fundraiser.
Albert was the type of jovial person that made friends at home or wherever he traveled. His “machine gun” laughter was bold and infectious. It filled the room, as he did, and those surrounding him couldn’t help but gravitate to whatever was happening to stir such elation. Albert’s family was everything to him and he kept up with all the current events in their lives even with all the “grands” and “great-grands”. He was called “Butch” by his siblings and his nieces and nephews followed suit as he was “Uncle Butch” to them. In the active years of their retirement, Al and Sharon would winter in Apache Junction, AZ, for 6-months. He would enjoy long bike rides, walks, and exploring the surrounding area.
Albert is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sharon, daughter Dana (Bud) Craker of New Brighton, PA, granddaughter Jocelyn Craker (Laura Zeranick) and great granddaughter Kiara Craker of Monaca, PA, son Walter Allen (Shaun Keister), and granddaughter Parker Keister-Allen of Davis, CA, sister Carol (Marvin) Boggs of Des Moines, IA, step-brother Robert (Shirley) Tomlinson of Des Moines, IA, step-brother Dale (Nancy ) Tomlinson of Des Moines, IA, step-sister Dottie (Gordon) Perkins of Des Moines, IA, and 5 nieces, 2 nephews, and other family.
Albert was preceded in death by his eldest daughter Deborah Sue (1969), parents Ronald (1984) and Ardis (1967) Allen, sister Leora Kathleen “Sis” (2001) and her husband Phillip (2021) Schooler, brother Ronald “Wayne” Allen (2021), and step-mother Esther Mae Bales Allen (1994).
The family has requested donations be made to one of the following funds in lieu of flowers: Albert and Sharon Fund - Community United Presbyterian Church, Mail checks to: P.O. Box 903 Hartford Iowa, 50118, Albert and Sharon Fund - Carlisle Area Dollars For Scholars (PEACH Chapter) Mail checks to: P.O. Box 397, Carlisle, IA 50047 or Hartford Lodge #83 with “Albert Allen” in the memo Mail checks to: 7169 Espanade Street Johnston, IA 50131.
