Eunice Allen

EUNICE ALLEN

Monticello

Eunice Allen, 94, of Monticello, passed away Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, at the Jones Regional Medical Center in Anamosa. With courage, determination and a resilience that was inspirational, she bravely fought through a series of surgeries and medical issues that began in June. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at the First Presbyterian Church in Monticello, with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello. The Rev. Al Polito and Pastor Mike Cleeton will officiate at the services. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Goettsch Funeral Home in Monticello.

Eunice Byrnella Kuhns was born to Lestus and Nellie Henrichs Kuhns on Nov. 1, 1921. She was the fourth of 10 children. She received her early education in country school near the Kuhns family farm near Scotch Grove, Iowa. She graduated from Monticello Community High School with the class of 1940.

On Aug. 7, 1940, she married Paul E. Allen of Richland Township, Monticello, at the First Presbyterian Church of Monticello. Eunice and Paul started farming (with horses) north of Onslow. There they built and operated the family farm and raised their family. In 1988, following retirement, they moved back to Monticello. After Paul's death on Sept. 4, 1989, she continued to manage the farm in a way that would make him proud.

Eunice was an active member of the Onslow Presbyterian Church serving as Sunday school teacher, elder and as an active member of the Christian Service Guild. She learned early homemaking skills as a 4-H member and would later be a 4-H leader at Onslow. She was active in community clubs and was an honorary member of the Altrurian Federated Women's Club of Onslow. Upon returning to Monticello, she and Paul rejoined the First Presbyterian Church of Monticello. There she was a member of the Rebecca Circle and an early and longtime member of the Pie Committee. She also enjoyed active membership in the 94 Club of Monticello.

Eunice is survived by her daughter, Karen (Roger) Walters of Bannockburn, Ill.; and her son, Rick (Julie) Allen of Champaign, Ill.; two grandsons, Jason Walters of San Francisco, Calif. and Ryan Allen of Columbia, Mo.; and one sister-in-law, Georgia Kuhns of Marion.

She was preceded in death by her husband Paul; her parents; and her nine siblings, Wilma (Kenneth) Zeadow, Lois (Renk) Eilers, Myron (Pauline) Kuhns, Celestia (Robert) Gerdes, Kermit (Frances) and twin Kenneth Kuhns, Greta (Merle) Aldrich and twin Galen (Georgia) Kuhns, and Arlene (Melvin) Holub.

Eunice enjoyed people and nature, especially birds and flowers. She could frequently be seen in her yard watering her flowers, raking leaves and filling bird feeders. In the winter when she couldn't get out to the feeders, she would throw seed out the kitchen window to keep them fed. Additionally she enjoyed playing golf, going camping, dancing with Paul and listening to old country and gospel music. She had a deep love for the family farm and was in the field when the last harvest occurred the day following her 94th birthday.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, Monticello Senior Dining or Camp Wyoming.