Allen, Helen M. (Stence) 1917-2005

ALLEN, STENCE, COOK, JUDD, PARR

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 1/13/2022 at 13:20:13

Mass of Christian Burial for Helen Margaret Stence Allen, 88, of Oelwein, and formerly of Ossian Iowa, was held Tuesday, June 14, 2005, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elkader, Iowa. Rev. Paul Peters was celebrant with burial in the church cemetery. Lector was William Judd, Sr. Organist was Darlene Dittmer and soloist, Andy Leonard. Eulogy was given by Douglas Allen. Gift Bearers were the Probert Nieces. Eucharistic Ministers were William Judd, Jr. and Mary Ann Judd. Casket bearers were William Judd, Jr., Philip Judd, Patrick Judd, Megan Judd, Sean Allen, Caitlin Allen, Jason Allen and Quinn Allen. Honorary casket bearers were Jonathan Judd, Jessica Judd, Michael Judd and Haleigh Parr. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah was in charge of the arrangements.

Helen Margaret Stence Allen was born April 29, 1917, on the home farm in Cox Creek Township, Clayton County, Iowa, the daughter of Raymond and Ella (Cook) Stence. She was educated in Clayton County country schools and graduated from St. Joseph's High School in Elkader, Iowa, with the class of 1934. She attended and graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in Des Moines, Iowa as a Registered Nurse.

She was united in marriage to Philip Royal Allen October 20, 1942, in the chapel at Camp Stoneman, California. To this union four children were born: Mary Kathryn, David Michael, Dennis Patrick and Douglas Philip.

Helen worked as a nurse at several health care facilities including the VA Hospitals in Des Moines and Iowa City and Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Manchester. She also worked as the office nurse for Dr. John Compton in Edgewood, for several years. In 1967 she moved to Ossian, Iowa, and began working as the Administrator of the Ossian Senior Hospice; a position she held until her retirement in 1988 after 21 years of service.

Helen loved spending time with her family. She was a wonderful cook and was known for her "made from scratch" spaghetti and meatballs and her chocolate buttermilk brownies. She enjoyed gardening, reading and listening to old time music.

Helen died Friday, June 10, 2005, at Oelwein Health Care Center following a short illness.

Helen is survived by her four children, Mary Kathryn (William) Judd of Oelwein and formerly of Clinton; David Michael (Jolene) Allen of La Grange, Ga.; Dennis Patrick Allen of Oelwein; Douglas Philip (Karen) Allen of Marshalltown; eight grandchildren, William (Mary Ann) Judd of Decorah, Phillip (Alissa) Judd, Patrick Judd and Meggan Judd, all of Clinton; Sean Allen and Jason Allen of La Grange, Ga.; Caitlin Allen and Quinn Allen of Marshalltown; four great-grandchildren, Jonathan William Judd Jessica Mae Judd, Michael David Judd and Haleigh May Parr.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Philip R. Allen on November 29, 1955; her parents; five brothers, Francis "Butter", John, James, Vincent and Gerald Stence; a sister, Mary Stence Probert and a grandson, Michael David Judd.

~Clayton County Register, Wednesday, June 15, 2005; pg 5