Frank Allen

Frank Allen, age 93 of Boone, Iowa, died on Sunday morning April 25, 2021. Frank was born Jan. 17, 1928 on a farm near Plainfield, Iowa, to Millard and Grace (Hall) Allen. After the death of his father in an automobile accident when he was three years old, the family moved to Charles City. He graduated from Charles City High School in 1946 where he was elected to the National Athletic Scholarship Society having lettered in basketball, football and track. He then enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa (formerly Iowa State Teachers College). He was proud to have paid his entire way through college by working part-time jobs and graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. After serving in the United States Army he enrolled at the University of Iowa in 1954. He completed two Masters Degrees and a Specialist Degree at U of I.

While attending college Frank met his wife Marilyn. On April 21, 1951, Frank was married to Marilyn Gysin in Burlington, Iowa at Bethany Lutheran Church.

Frank started a lifetime career in public education in Anamosa, Iowa in 1954, where he served as teacher, coach, summer recreation director and later high school principal. After also serving as high school principal in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin and Muscatine, Iowa, he spent the last thirteen years of his career as Assistant Superintendent in Fort Madison, Iowa before retiring in 1992 and moving to Ogden, Iowa to be close to family. Over the years, Frank was a member and officer of JC’s, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club and church council taking part in many community projects. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran church in Ogden and then Augustana Lutheran church after moving to Boone.

Frank put a high priority on spending time with his children, mentoring them in sports and attending their events. After retirement, he and Marilyn enjoyed traveling and camping with the Holiday Ramblers and also following Hawkeye football and basketball.

Frank had many hobbies including watercolor painting, tennis, golf, and traveling. His greatest joy was in seeing the successes of his children. He placed a high value on time spent with his family and his favorite dogs Aggie and Macy.

He will be lovingly remembered by Marilyn, his wife of 70 years; his three children Deborah (Jon) Sunstrom of Boone, Iowa, Jeff (Paula) Allen of Pella, Iowa and Jim (Kim) Allen of Denver, Colorado; his six grandchildren, Anna and William Sunstrom, Katie (Krish) Jethwa, and Madelyn, Grant and Caleb Allen. Frank was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ralph. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Augustana Lutheran Church, Eastern Star Home or Immanuel Lutheran Church of Ogden.

Services were held at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home in Boone with Rev. Dan Solomon officiating. Interment was in Burlington, Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.schroederfuneral.com.