Alice M. (Lanz) Allen

After a brief illness, Alice Allen went home to be with the Lord on November 28, 2020.
She was born in Stuart, Nebraska, the second child of Fred and Emma Lanz. She grew up in Bassett and graduated from Rock County High School in 1952. After attending college, she went to Nursing School and received her R.N. degree from the University of Nebraska.
In 1956 Alice married Bill Allen (son of Harold and Thalma Allen). In 1959 they moved to California to pursue their careers; Alice in operating room nursing and Bill in banking. She ended up becoming the Operating Room Supervisor of a large community hospital. A position she held for 40 years. After retirement, they decided to return home and moved back to Bassett in 2004.
Alice had 2 children; Jeffrey Todd (wife Michelle) and Darcy Lynn (husband Jeff Marlow), four grandchildren by Darcy; Trevor, Derek, Richard and Elizabeth; and four great-grandchildren; Olivia, Jayde, William and Reese.
Alice loved to sew and quilt and would send hand sewn cards to friends and loved ones for every holiday. She was a member of the Quilter's Guild and helped the Historical Society with regards to antique quilts. Quite often she would make quilts or Teddy Bears for people from their loved ones' clothing and was known around town as “The Teddy Bear Lady”.
She loved to bake bread and cookies and would often bake up several batches of cookies just to give them away to people. She had made friends all over the world as a result of extensive traveling with Bill and stayed in touch with many of them, often times sending them her handmade cards.
She loved to watch the flights of cranes overhead, snow falling and always awaited the return of her purple martins. The annual Lanz Family Reunion was always something she enjoyed being involved in. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, The Historical Society, The Rock County Leader, church and the thrift store. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Alice's legacy will be the love she shared with abandon, not only with her family and dear friends, but with all those she came in contact with. She was generous, kind and always had time to help those in need. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. She will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alice Allen Memorial Fund so that donations may be made to local charities which she supported.
Joint Memorial Services for Alice and Bill Allen were held Saturday, August 24, 2024 at the Bassett Methodist Church with Pastor Jenice Epp presiding. Military honors were held on the church front lawn for Bill following the memorial service. Inurnment followed in the Bassett Memorial Park Cemetery. Hoch Funeral Home of Bassett assisted the family with arrangements.