IRENE ALICE ALLEN's Obituary
Irene was born in Seattle, Washington, on January 4, 1928, to Nels and Edna (Hodkinson) Mortenson, the oldest of their five children. The family lived for a time in Vancouver, British Columbia, then returned to Seattle. After graduation from high school, Irene worked as a secretary at a local car dealership. While at a USO function in Seattle, she met a young man in the Navy, Ken Allen. When Ken returned to his hometown of Oakland, California, they continued to stay in touch. They were married on September 9, 1949, in Seattle.
After a few months living in Seattle, they moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where Irene worked as a secretary and Ken as an airline mechanic. Their first Alaskan winter discouraged them from a longer stay, so they moved to Oakland in 1951. In 1954 they purchased their first home in nearby Hayward, where they were charter members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. They lived in Hayward for 56 years, moving to Castro Valley in 2010.
Irene and Ken were blessed with five children. Irene was a full-time homemaker for many years She then worked for the Hayward Unified School District, first as the one who arranged substitute teachers every morning, and then as a librarian in Strobridge Junior High School. She enjoyed both jobs immensely. Throughout her life, she was active in her church in many ways, including women's groups, fellowship events, and choir. She also was active in the community, visiting patients at the county hospital, and serving as a 4-H leader. She was faithful in assisting many elderly family members and elderly neighbors. She and Ken enjoyed many lifelong friendships, and in their retirement years especially enjoyed traveling for family visits and for tourism. Family and friends remember Irene for her delicious home cooking, for her ready smile, her gentle nature and her always-open arms for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Irene is survived by four of her children: Karen (Henry) Kogler of Palatine, Illinois; David Allen of Honolulu, Hawaii; Susan (Mike) Nepodal and Gayle (Dave) Cowan, all of Castro Valley, California; her brothers Peter (Margaret) Mortenson and Charlie Mortenson; her 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Ken Allen, her son Peter Allen, her sister Linnea Glennie and her brother Nels Mortenson.
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