Mary Anne Allen

Larchwood, IA     Mary Anne Allen age 85 of Larchwood, IA died Thursday, October 5, 2017, surrounded by her family in her home just as she wanted.     Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 9, 2017, at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA, with Fr. Francis Makwinja and Deacon Jeff Gallagher concelebrating.  Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery at Alvord, IA.     Visitation with the family will be Sunday, October, 8th from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00, at the The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood. Jurrens Funeral Home of Larchwood is in charge of services.     Memorials may be directed to: the Larchwood Volunteer Fire and Rescue.      Mary Anne Patricia Allen was born June 14, 1932, the daughter of John and Blanche (Desmond) Magnuson in Sioux Falls, SD.  Mary Anne grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington High School.  She was united in marriage to James Allen on July 17, 1954, at St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls. They were blessed to have enjoyed 56 years of marriage.  They made their home and raised their family in several communities, including Sioux Falls, SD, Pipestone, MN, Madison, SD, and their retirement years in Larchwood, IA.  She always kept busy with raising and chasing her children and her grandchildren.  Mary Anne had a very special place in her heart for all of her grandchildren.  She was a member of the St. Mary’s Altar Society, St. Thomas Aquinas Altar Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary.  She and James enjoyed traveling to many places.  She enjoyed watching birds, reading, playing cards, having birthday lunches with friends, and Thirsty Thursdays. She was also a talented seamstress.  Her family fondly remembers family gatherings around the holidays, especially Christmas and the Fourth of July in Alvord.  Rarely did she miss watching Lawrence Welk on Saturday nights.      She is survived by her children, Jean (Steve) McGee of Sioux Falls, SD, Kathie (Al) Lewis of Madison, SD, Tom (Susan) Krier of San Diego, CA; Barb Wilson of Larchwood, IA; Larry (Lori) Allen of Madison, SD, John (Sharon) Allen of Sioux Falls, SD, Terri (Tim) Preston of Omaha, NE and Joe (Brooke) Allen of Omaha, NE; daughter-in-law, Patty Allen of Worthing, SD; 18 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Betty Allen of Kansas City, MO.     Mary Anne was preceded in death by her husband, James; son, Paul; parents, John and Blanche; brother, Bill Magnuson and sister, Tizzie Wellendorf.