Allen, Mary Abbie (Siders) 1921-2011

ALLEN, ROHRIG, SIDERS, FREEBORN, STRUNK, NEWBURN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/17/2013 at 10:19:43

The PCCR
Oct. 12, 2011

MARY ABBIE SIDERS ALLEN, 90

Mary Abbie Siders Allen, age 90,of Fort Wayne, Ind., and formerly of Grinnell, died on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.

A celebration of her life was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with the Rev. John Epperson officiating. Interment was at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

Memorials may b designated to the Mary A. Allen Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.smithfh.com.

Mary was born March 1, 1921, in Council Bluffs, to Ray M. and Cora Rohrig Siders. Her family moved to Webster City, where she and her brothers were raised. She attended schools in Webster City.

On June 9, 1945, she was married to Willis Earl Allen. They lived in Booneville a short time before moving to Grinnell in 1945. She was employed at Grinnell College in the housekeeping department.

Mary was a member of the Grinnell Christian Church. Her enjoyments included crocheting, watching wrestling, baking and cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.

She was a loving mother who is survived by her five children, Thomas Ray (Bobbie) Allen of Haverhill, Dennis Lee (Carolyn) Allen of Terrebonne, Ore., John Michael (Jean) Allen of Bloomington, Ind., Nancy Jo (Dennis) Freeborn of Anchorage, Alaska, and Sheila Dianne (Willis) Strunk of Churubusco, Ind.; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; her step grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Maxine Newburn of Urbandale;; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Earl G. Siders, Marion F. Siders, Archie W. Siders: her husband, Willis in 1999; and a grandson, Daniel Lee Allen.