Roger Eugene Allen, 74 passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family and lots of love on Saturday, January 21st.
Roger lead a very happy life, and a was a true blessing to all that knew him.
Roger was born February 12th, 1948 at Green County Hospital in Jefferson Iowa to Dean and Maxine Allen. Roger was one of six children born to Dean and Maxine. All of the family ran the Allen Farms established in 1947. There were many stories about milking the cows, tending to the sheep and other farm animals, and making a living from the crops of their fields. In their down time there were stories of being in the kitchen to bake chocolate cakes, or playing kick the can with their childhood friends.
Roger went to YJB (Yale, Jamaica, Bagley) School where he graduated in 1966. Roger was very involved in 4H, and there was not a sport he didn't try. Roger excelled in baseball and basketball. The love of sports along with NASCAR followed him thru his final days. There was not a weekend that would go by that sports were not on the TV, and the races were always on, on Sundays.
After Roger graduated he attended Iowa State University before he was drafted into the Army where Roger served in Korea. After returning home he went to AIB and continued to play Softball and Bowling. In 1975 Roger married Sheryl the mother of his children, Brian and Becky. After Roger and Sheryl parted ways he married Mary Ann in 1993 and gained another daughter Amy.
Roger was a numbers guy. He was an accountant for several companies thru the years, ending his last job at Hedberg and Son, which he reluctantly had to let go when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Roger was a very caring man, but it was hard for many to see that side of him. It was difficult for him to show his feelings, but if you caught a glimpse of him when he didn't think you were looking there were often tears of pride, and love in his eyes.
Roger absolutely loved watching his nephews sports, traveling wherever they were playing when they went to Panorama High, and then basketball games at Iowa Wesleyan. When his nephews got older he then started attending his grandchildren Dalton, Miss Payton, and his bonus Grandson Trevor AKA Paytons's Shadow's activities. You could always find him behind home plate at Dalton's games being the designated Score Keeper season, after season. He would travel miles rain or shine to Track Meets, Football Games, Volleyball, Softball, Marching Band you name it. Brian and Becky had their kids Brody, Caden, Brooklyn, and Bennett as Roger's health was declining. They will most definitely have a guardian angel watching down on them for all their future games and activities cheering them on.
In Roger's final days his wishes were to remain at home. We would have never been able to fulfill that wish without the help of the VA Hospital, Golden Heart Senior Care, Hospice, and his home angels there for all his needs, his Wife Mary Ann, Daughter Amy, Grandson Dalton, and Son in law TJ.
Roger is survived by his Wife Mary Ann. HIs Son Brian (Shannon) Caitlin, Brendan, Brody, Caden. His Daughter Becky (Jason) Brooklyn, Bennett. His Daughter Amy (TJ) Dalton, Miss Payton, and The Tall One Trevor. His Siblings Richard, Donita, Pam, Sister in Law Cynthia Chancellor, many Nieces and Nephews, and his long time friends Roger and Mary Oltman. He was proceeded in death by his Parents Dean, and Maxine Allen, Brothers Harold, and Duane AKA Pickle, and his Sister in law Karen.
Please join us in a non formal Celebration of Life on what would be Roger's 75th Birthday. Sunday, February 12th at 1pm. Bethany Church, 720 NE 52nd Ave, Des Moines, Iowa. We are having an early Celebration so everyone can enjoy the Superbowl Festivities just like Roger would have wanted. GO CHIEFS!
