On Monday afternoon, June 26, 2017, Edith Eloise Allen, age 82, passed away surrounded by her loving family, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee, MN, after a short courageous battle with cancer. She was a resident of All Saints Senior Living in Shakopee, MN. Edith was a beloved sister and a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She bestowed on her family the values of hard work, caring, loving, independent and a faith in God.
Edith’s life will be honored at a Celebration of Life Service on Friday, June 30 at 11 am, with a time of gathering one hour prior, all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 833 S. Marschall Road, Shakopee. Her brother, Hugh Stephenson, will lead the service. Edith will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Richard, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN, on Wednesday, July 5, 2017.
On October 19, 1934 in Mountain Lake, MN, Edith was born the first of three children to Price and Eloise (Doran) Stephenson. Growing up in the town of Bingham Lake, MN, she learned at a very young age the craft of gardening. She enjoyed playing cards with her grandma, who lived down the street. Edith attended grade school at Bingham Lake and graduated in 1952 from Windom High School.
While at the Windom Roller Rink, Edith met the love of her life, Richard Alvin Allen. Their love flourished and on July 24, 1953, they became husband and wife and moved right to Parris Island, SC, where Richard was stationed in the Marines. They then moved to Comfrey, MN, where they put down their roots dairy farming on the Allen family farm. Edith and Rich were blessed with five children, Julie, Marie, Mark, Wes and Beth. As a couple, Edith and Rich were members of a group called the “Couple’s Club.” The closeness of the couples was evident as they enjoyed dancing, picnics with their families and spending time together.
In 1989, Edith and Rich moved to Rochester, where they worked side by side managing an apartment building. Upon retiring, Edith and Rich wintered in Arizona and spent summers on Cedar Lake in Faribault, MN. They truly enjoyed both locations, playing cards, shuffle board, swimming, fishing and spending time with wonderful friends and family. In recent years, they lived in Mankato and Shakopee.
Throughout Edith’s life, she remained busy as a farm wife, working various jobs earning extra money selling Tupperware, Avon and Princess House. She even worked at the local newspaper, AUI, the grocery store and as a telephone operator to name a few careers. One of Edith’s passions was tending to the vegetable and flower gardens. She and her family spent countless hours weeding, picking the produce and canning the fruits of their labors. Edith too relished growing and tending to all the flowers found around the home. She even helped with the flower pots at All Saints. Edith also enjoyed spoiling her pets, especially Gizmo (the dog) and Lenny (the cat). But it is her grandchildren and great-grandchildren that brought Edith the greatest joy. She was so proud of them and always wanted to be part of their life.
Life changed for Edith with the passing of Rich on November 8, 2015. But she tried to remain positive. Missing the companionship, Edith met a fine gentleman named, Max Elkin. Together, they brought so much joy to each other.
Edith’s legacy is now left to be carried on in her children, daughter, Julie (Doug) Bowman, Marie (Mike) Nagel, Beth (Todd) Ingalls; sons, Mark (Gloria Jones) Allen, Wes Allen; grandchildren, Laura Bowman, Cory (Sara) Bowman, Daniel Nagel, Tony (Carrie) Nagel, Ethan Nagel; great-grandchildren, Hailey Irwin, Taylor Nagel, Carter Nagel; siblings, Jim (Jan) Stephenson, Hugh (Mary) Stephenson; special friend, Max Elkin; many relatives and friends. There to greet Edith home in heaven is her husband, Rich and parents.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation proudly served and cared for the Allen family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
