In Memory of

Cheryl

Verda

Allen

(Haecker)

Obituary for Cheryl Verda Allen (Haecker)

Cheryl V. Allen, 81, of Le Mars passed away on Monday, April 13, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. A memorial service will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2015 at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Rev. Kolleen Queener will officiate. Visitation with the family present will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Honorary pallbearers will be Cheryl’s grandchildren.

Cheryl Verda Allen was born on January 20, 1934 in Yankton, South Dakota to Harold and Verda Haecker, baptized in the Congregational Church in Mitchell, SD. She spent her early childhood in Sacramento, California then returned with her family to Mitchell, South Dakota. Cheryl graduated from Mitchell High School in 1952. During her high school years she was active all school activities, homecoming royalty, voted the prettiest girl in High School and Queen of Job’s Daughters and Eastern Star.

On December 26, 1953, Cheryl and Richard “Dick” Allen were united in marriage at Mitchell, South Dakota. They moved to Ft. Benning, Georgia where Dick served in the United States Army. Following his discharge, they enrolled at Dakota Wesleyan College in Mitchell. Cheryl earned a teaching certificate and taught in rural schools near Stickney, South Dakota, grades 1-8, also teaching right outside Mitchell, SD. She had the first hot lunch program in the state of South Dakota, cooking it herself on a pot belly stove.

In 1959, Dick took a position with Spurgeon’s Department store so the family moved to Ottumwa, Iowa. They transferred to Owatonna, Minnesota and later to Le Mars in 1968. While living in Owatonna, Cheryl attended Mankato State University, completing her two year teaching certificate. After that, she returned to teaching in the rural schools.

Cheryl was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Le Mars. At church, she quilted and planned many of the congregational dinners. She also volunteered with the Floyd Valley Hospital Auxiliary and annual bazaar. She and Dick were members of the B.P.O. Elks in Le Mars and she belonged to several card clubs.

Cheryl had a connection with her students, not only while working as a teacher’s assistant at Kissinger Elementary in Merrill, but while she drove the school bus for special needs children and sports teams. In her spare-time, Cheryl enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and enjoyed golfing. She and Dick spent summers the last 25 years at their summer home in Whitlock, South Dakota.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 61 years, Dick Allen of Le Mars, IA; son, Randy Allen of Watertown, SD; son, Greg Allen and his wife, Karen of Bemidji, MN; daughter, Rhonda Klemme and her husband, Robin of Merrill, IA, son, Wade Allen of Le Mars, IA; grandchildren, Josh (Tiffany) Allen and their children, Natalie, Carter and Grayson, Chad (Amber) Allen, Brett Allen, Drew Allen, Matthew (Tiffeny) Allen, Keith Allen and his son, Jameson, Corey Allen, Kayci Allen, Jacob (Samantha) Lehmann and their children, Talan and Grace, Ryan (friend Rachel Hargens) Lehmann, Trent (Virginia) Hanner, their children Riley Hanner, Raiden Hanner, Joe (Beth) Allen and their children, Dawson, Paige and Zoey, Jessica (Paul) Hammer and their children, Daisy, Makenzi, and Kelsey Allen and her daughter, Riley; a sister, Nola (Ron) Freyer of Sequim, WA; in-laws, Beverly James of Lubbock, TX, Nancy (Mike) Zelenski of Sacramento, CA and Garry (friend Mary) Allen of Chamberlain, SD.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Fred Haecker; brothers-in-law, Denny James, Bruce Allen Jr., Daryl Allen and Donald Allen.