Ralph F. ALLEN

ALLEN, LERMMERS, WILLIAMS, SCHMIDT, KLOPFENSTEIN, REIGER, KELLY, EUBANKS, JENSEN, KAY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/3/2016 at 14:13:55

January 29, 1923 --- April 19, 2016

Ralph F. Allen, 93, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at the Iowa River Hospice Home with his loving family by his side. Funeral services for Ralph will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Elim Lutheran Church, with Pastor Karen Cluts officiating. Public visitation will be held one hour prior to services, where his family will be present to greet friends. Following the service, Ralph will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery. It was Ralph’s wishes that any memorial contributions may be directed in his name to the local Veterans Groups. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Ralph and his family.

Ralph F. Allen was born on January 29, 1923, in San Antonio, Texas, the son of Thomas Eugene and Luella (Lermmers) Allen. His parents divorced when he was very young and always considered his step-mother: Ione Elzora Williams as the mother figure in his life. Ralph resided in San Antonio, TX, Chickasha, OK, Ames, IA, Clinton, IA, Eagle Grove, IA, Spirit Lake, IA and then moved to Marshalltown, Iowa in 1971. He attended and graduated from Ames High School.

Ralph was very proud of his Country and following high school, he honorably served his country in the United States Army. Ralph was part of the 5th Division, 11th Regiment 3rd Battalion, Company L, Second Platoon. On August 24, 1948, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, Ralph was united to the love of his life, Rosalyn Esther (Schmidt). From this union, four daughters were born: Nancy, Gloria Jean, Peggy Ann, and Mary Jane.

Ralph was one man that was not afraid of hard work. He was a Welder for Climax Engineering, Field Foreman for General Filter Company, Director of Public Works for the City of Eagle Grove and Spirit Lake, and last he worked as a Plant Superintendent for the Marshalltown Water Department. He had a passion for gardening, swimming, fishing, hunting, reading, woodworking, camping, and playing bingo with his lovely wife.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Rosalyn Allen; four children: Nancy Lee (Sholem) Klopfenstein, Gloria Jean (Gary) Reiger, Peggy Ann (Peter) Kelly and Mary Jane (David) Eubanks; 8 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; half-sister: Madelene Jean Jensen; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, step-mother, one sister: Katie Mae Kay, one step brother: Bruce Edward Williams and two step sisters: Grace and June Williams.

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