The Reverend Lowell Dean Allen received an appointment to work in new pastures with his Lord Jesus on October 14, 2023. He passed peacefully at home with his son Ron Allen, grandson Michael Allen and friend Kelly King, at his side. Rev. Allen spent most of his life living in parsonages and serving United Methodist churches. He was born February 8, 1926, in the church parsonage in Jameson, Missouri to Rev. William Henry (W.H.) Allen and Viola Oliska Allen (nee Holt). Lowell was the fourth of five sons: William Cecil (W.C.), Gerald, Lewis, Lowell and Robert.

The Allen family spent most of their ministry in Northern Missouri, where Rev. W.H. was pastor of the Fayette Circuit for 10 years. This enabled Lowell and three of his brothers the opportunity to attend Central Methodist College (now University). Lowell met Lucille Overstreet in Fayette, where they both lived. They married in 1947. Lowell graduated Central Methodist College in 1948 with a major in History and a minor in Sociology. Lowell and Lucille had three children: Karen (Lyle Rasmussen), Ronald and David (Dorothy) Allen. Lucille, Karen and David all preceded Rev. Allen in death. He is survived by his son, Ron Allen, seven grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

When an eye condition kept Lowell from military service, he entered Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. There he earned qualifications for the ordination to Deacon in the Missouri Annual Conference (MAC). Rev. Allen served in several appointments over the next decade. He also attended and graduated with honors in 1958 from the University of Dubuque School of Theology, during which he was a student pastor. At this point Rev. Allen became a member of the Rock River (later Northern Illinois) Conference of the Methodist Church. He was student pastor of the Davis and Dakota Methodist churches, directed district youth activities for several Methodist churches and served in appointments including churches in Polo, Harding/Serena/Prairie Center, Rock Falls, Rockford, Aurora/Bethany of Fox Valley, and Edison Park, Illinois. Rev. Allen served Methodist Churches for 42 years.

In January 1990, Rev. Allen joined Rev. Martin Deppe and other Methodist pastors in a delegation led by Rev. Fred Morris as international monitors of the Violeta Chamorro and Daniel Ortega election for President of Nicaragua. Another delegation was led by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

Rev. Allen was a member and served as president of community clubs including Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions and the Masons. He loved working with district and local youth organizations and did Mission work for more than 10 years. Rev. Allen led scouts at many churches. He helped as camp counselor at Wesley Woods, Reynoldswood, Conference Point, Des Plaines, Freeport and Lena church campgrounds. For 10 years he served on Town and Country, an inter-board Commission that included all churches in the communities with members of 10,000 or less.

Rev. Allen retired in 1992 from Edison Park, his last appointment. He was called back to service briefly at Shirland United Methodist Church. With full retirement Rev. Allen had more time to give back to communities around the country. His work with the Red Cross included Chicago as well as responding to callouts for aid to Alabama, the Florida panhandle, Hurricane Katrina, fires in Idaho and multiple other major storm-damaged communities around the U.S. He was part of the Chicago Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) for more than 20 years. This included training exercises for SWAT teams as well as K9 training. The Red Bird Mission in Kentucky was a place where Rev. Allen volunteered for many years. He was the church building manager for Irving Park United Methodist Church, a painter, carpenter and overall handyman for people who needed help.

Rev. Allen was 97 when he started his new chapter of work by the side of his Lord.

As he wished his body has been donated for research and medical training to the University of North Dakota. The family would like to thank Red River Valley Hospice and the nurses, doctors and caregivers at the Grand Forks Altru Hospital for their care. Donations can be made to the church or charity of your choice in Rev. Allen's memory. A Celebration of his Life will be planned later.