Willard “Tom” Allen, 79, formerly of Manitowoc, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, at Bellin Heart Center, Green Bay.
Tom was born in 1935 to the late Willard and Ellen (Race) Allen, of Little Suamico. He began his education in a one-room schoolhouse taught by his Aunt Marie, graduated from Oconto Falls High School, and earned a biology degree from St. Norbert College and a master’s degree in biology from Purdue University.
He was a dedicated high school biology teacher, first in Kansas City and then for 34 years at Manitowoc Lincoln High, where he also coached football. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves for more than 40 years, led the 432nd Civil Affairs Unit in Green Bay and rose to the rank of colonel. Tom spent many happy days in his woods with family and friends.
The beloved patriarch of his family, Tom is survived by his best friend and wife of 57 years, Valerie (Christensen) Allen, and his six children (their spouses) and 13 grandchildren: Craig (Sharon) and their children, Kiyana (Nick Glass), Ben and Nik; Edith (Detlef Weiler) and Jonathan and Derek; Elaine (Jim Cooney) and Caroline; Brian (Betsy) and Megan and Katie; Mark (Pascale) and Claire, Davia and Luc; and Brad (Jude) and Sean and Seth. His grandchildren were the joy of his retirement years. Tom also is survived by his sister, Janice; his mother-in-law, Edna Vonck; his brother-in-law, Ron (Karen) Christensen; sister-in-law, Chris (Von) Solberg; and his Swedish AFS daughter, Anna Lena Stalnacke, and family.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held in July when all the family can attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s name to either Woodland Dunes Nature Center (www.woodlanddunes.org) or the NEW Zoo (newzoo.org).
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