Florence Allen

Florence Catherine Allen, 93, died on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at her home in Creston Iowa. Florence was born on September 20, 1920 to Luna Mary Sloan Montag and Henry Adolph Montag in West Bend Iowa.
On May 15, 1943, she married Phillip Floyd Allen in West Bend Iowa. They lived in Chicago, Illinois while Phil trained at the Great Lakes Naval Air Station and Florence worked as an operator for Illinois Bell Telephone. After Phil shipped off to the Pacific, Florence moved back to Iowa. Florence was a founding member of the West Bend St. Peter and Paul Church Catholic Daughters of America.
To this union were born twelve children: Jerome Allen, Andrew Allen (Val), Linda Castillo, Patricia Nixon, Rosemary Osmun, Maynard Allen, Dennis (Teri) Allen, Julie Chaney, Tim (Nancy) Allen, Anthony (Vicki) Allen, Phyllis Allen (Steve Heffern), and Barb (Gary) Coenen.
Florence worked as an LPN at Greater Community Hospital in Creston until her retirement in 1985. After that, she contributed to the community in many ways, delivering Meals on Wheels, working in the Congregate Meal site, and at the Rectory ReRun shop for 20 years.
Florence was an avid supporter of Appalachia Service Project, going on their mission trips for fifteen years, most recently at age 80.
Florence is survived and much loved by eleven children, 29 grandchildren, 69 great-grandchildren, and eleven great-great-grandchildren, as well as many friends and adopted family. Survivors also include daughter-in-law Betty Foster, one sister, Dora Montag Allen of Fort Dodge and two brothers, Martin Montag of Waxhaw, NC and Robert Montag of Washington state.
She was preceded in death by her husband Phillip Allen, son, Jerome Allen, sons-in-law Dennis Castillo and Charles Welter, and grandson Kirk Nixon, as well as her parents and thirteen brothers and sisters.
As a final gift to the world, Florence donated her body for scientific research to the University of Iowa Medical School. Memorials can be directed to the Appalachia Service Project and Cup of Cold Water, which provides drinking water wells to needy recipients in Appalachia.
A family night will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 7 at Pearson Funeral Home, 809 W Montgomery, Creston, Iowa. A Prayer Service will be held from 6:30 – 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. A Celebration of Life Meal will be held at eleven a.m. Saturday March 8 at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church Parish hall, 107 W. Howard Street, Creston Iowa.