EDWARDS, Allen Burton

EDWARDS, UKEN, PETERSON, KRULL, AABY, PAGE, HUFF, BOETTNER, VAAGEN, STEFFENSEN, LOVIN, OSBORN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/3/2019 at 19:23:00

Obituary ~ Allen Burton Edwards
May 11, 1931 ~ November 04, 2015

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Sunday, November 06, 2015

MASON CITY - Allen Burton Edwards, 84 of Mason City, passed away from complications of frontal lobe dementia early Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton, where he had resided the past three years.

His funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at St. James Lutheran Church, 1148 Fourth St. S.E., Mason City, with Pastors Jeni Bohls and Steve Winsor officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel in Mason City, with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Waldorf College scholarship fund, Alzheimer's Association, St. James Lutheran Church or other education or faith-based charities.

Allen was born May 11, 1931, son of Burton and Etta (Uken) Edwards in Buffalo Center. He married Carol M. Peterson on Aug. 21, 1960, at Zion Lutheran Church in rural Frederic, Wisconsin, and they were blessed with three daughters: Cynthia, Martha and Cheryl.

A graduate of Buffalo Center High School, class of 1947, Allen attended Waldorf College, Buena Vista University, and Drake University, earning his bachelor's, master's, specialist and educational doctorate degrees. He was a lifelong educator, returning to teaching in retirement for high school science and biology classes. He firmly believed all people should receive a quality education.

Allen helped run the family farm after his father passed away when he was 12 years of age, then enlisted in the United States Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict at bases in Alaska and Delaware. He taught science at Buffalo Center and Rake High Schools, was the principal at CAL High School, and superintendent of Dows Community School and other districts in Iowa and Minnesota. He completed his career as superintendent of Lake of the Woods School District in Baudette, Minnesota.

Allen was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, and he was involved in the American Legion, VFW, Lions Club and various church boards. He enjoyed watching and attending the Twins, Vikings, Hawkeyes and Cyclones games (even if it was snowing), traveling the world (often by RV) and spending the winter months in Arizona. He loved auctions, good deals, his family, road trips, scenic overlooks, and Friday night ball games. His greatest pride was watching his grandchildren compete in sports and musical performances and seeing them excel in their education.

Allen is survived by his wife, Carol of Mason City; three daughters: Cynthia (Paul) Krull of Hampton, Martha Edwards of St. Louis Park, Minnesota and Cheryl (Jeremy) Aaby of Burnsville, Minnesota; three grandchildren: Kayla, John and Tara Krull; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Ruth Edwards, Beverly Page, Virgil (Sharon) Peterson, Virginia (Galen) Huff, Merle (Gayle) Peterson, and Sharon (Bill) Boettner; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: May (Otis) Vaagen, Robert Edwards, Merle Edwards, Ruth Steffensen, Ida (Hugh) Lovin; two brothers-in-law: Lowell Peterson and Edward Page; and two nephews: James Osborn and Harlan Steffensen.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, 641-423-2372, ColonialChapels.com.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2018