Lawrence J. Allen, 92, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Friday, July 17, 2015 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls from complications of vascular surgery. His Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. Interment will be in the St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 will begin at 3:00 p.m. The family will be present from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The Christian Wake service will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Kahler Funeral Home.

Lawrence Joseph Allen was born on November 13, 1922 at Dell Rapids, SD, the son of Thomas and Regina (Biever) Allen. He grew up on a farm near Dell Rapids and attended Noyes Country School. He started working for various farmers in the area including Peter and Marie Weinacht. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December of 1942 and served during WWII. He was honorably discharged in January of 1946. He returned home to Dell Rapids. Lawrence married Clara Pepleau at St. Mary Catholic Church on November 25, 1947. The couple made their home near Colman until moving to a farm near Trent. He started farming with his brother LeRoy. He moved to the farm south of Dell Rapids in March of 1957. In 1987, the couple moved into Dell Rapids. Lawrence stayed active in farming his entire life. Clara passed away in 2011.

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Trent American Legion Post. He loved to read, fish, garden.He was known as “Grandpa the Great” by his grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a son, David, his brothers, Thomas, LeRoy, and Alvin; and his sisters, Jean, Imelda and Annette.

Lawrence is survived by his daughters, Lois (Wayne) Buus of Brookings and Janice (Kent) Johnson of El Cajon, CA; his son, Richard (Deb) Allen of Dell Rapids; his 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; his brother, Leonard Allen of Dell Rapids; and his sister, Anna Mae Miiller of Phoenix, AZ.

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