Dean Allen
1919 – 2016

Dean passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Long Term Care, Estevan SK at the age of 97 years.

Dean was born July 21, 1919 in the house that he lived in almost his whole life in the Viewfield District. Dad’s parents, Horace and Alice (nee Drage) Allen came to Canada in 1917 and moved onto the farm secured by Alice’s brother Alfred Drage, who had come to Canada from England in 1913. Dad attended Olmstead School and by the age of thirteen he had found his passion in life and farming would become his life’s work.

I cannot stress as to how much farming was in dad’s blood. Even after he moved off of the farm in the winter of 2011 dad still “farmed” in conversation with anyone who visited with him. As for the women who stopped in to see him, if they knew something about agriculture he settled in to talk farming as my cousin from Paradise Hill learned quickly.

Dean met and married Elsie Maerz who came from Holdfast to teach in the Olmstead School. They worked hard together in the mixed farming operation and built a good life for themselves and their daughter, Joan, who was born in 1950. Dad did not take many holidays but managed a trip to Oregon, USA for their honeymoon and a second trip there in 1967. Dad and mom also took a trip to Fort McMurray in 1974. As the older farmers know when you are milking cows it is next to impossible to take holidays.

Dad was a caring neighbour, always ready to give a helping hand when others were in need. Dad was a man of his word- if he said he was going to do something- you knew it would be done. Dad was a very proud farmer, being proud of the black summer fallow, his John Deere equipment, his strawberry patch and the freedom to do it his own way. He was very disciplined in caring for his livestock and kept them on a rigid schedule. He was also very proud of the number of years he was able to farm against some significant physical limitations. Farming was his Way of Life.

Dad and Mom enjoyed socializing with neighbours, playing cards and visiting. Dad was even Santa Claus at the Viewfield Christmas parties for a number of years. Although the last few months were difficult, dad has had 97 years of a very good life- he lived life as he chose.

Dean kept in touch with the relatives in England after his mother passed on. Joan has made two trips to meet and visit with some of the relations which enabled Dean to remain in contact with them each Christmas.

Dean was predeceased by his wife Elsie Allen and his parents, Horace and Alice Allen. He is survived by his daughter Joan Hanelt; several nephews and nieces and a number of relatives in England. I wish to thank the staff and residents and home care workers at Creighton Lodge for their friendship and time spent with Dean during the five years of his residence. A Thank you to the staff of St. Joseph’s Long term Care and to Dr. Hakan Pehlivan for their care and comfort while Dean lived in their midst. A special thanks to Hall Funeral Services, United Church minister Elizabeth Goodson and all who joined with the family to remember Dean Allen. In appreciation, a huge Thanks to the pallbearers, Marvin Shauf, Brenden Shauf, Kevin Wallewein, George Ingram, Trevor Maerz and Wesley Maerz.

The Funeral Service was held on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace United Church, Stoughton, SK with Elizabeth Goodson officiating. The lunch reception was held at the Royal Canadian Legion, Stoughton, SK and the interment followed at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, SK.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, 1176 Nicholson Road, Estevan, SK, S4A 0H3.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan.