Funeral services for Kathleen E. Allen, 89, of Aurelia, will be held at the First Congregational Church in Aurelia, on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Bruce Rapp officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Aurelia.

Kathleen died Friday March 8, 2013 at the Cherokee Regional Medical Center in Cherokee, Iowa.

Kathleen Elsie Grashoff was born in Aurelia, on December 3, 1923, the daughter of Albert and Alma (Matzdorff) Grashoff.  She graduated from the Aurelia High School in 1941. Kathleen was united in marriage to Russell A. Allen on May 22, 1943 in Merced, California. They moved back to Aurelia after Russell’s military discharge and began farming, and then they moved into town and opened Allen Plumbing. The couple then moved to San Marcos, Texas, where they remained until 1965 when they returned to Aurelia and farming. Kathleen played the organ at the Afton Community building for several years for all the senior dances. When that building closed the group then moved to the Aurelia Community Center. Kathleen also played with Kathy and the Bandsmen and The Melodiers, and with many area musicians.   Kathleen was a member of the First Congregational Church in Aurelia where she served as organist for a number of years, the American Legion Auxiliary, and ACC. She enjoyed playing the organ, playing cards, crocheting and embroidery.

Preceding Kathleen in death were her parents, her husband Russell on June 28, 2003, an infant grandson, son-in-law Tom Stevenson, one brother, Ray Grashoff, one sister, Laurine Kludas, two brothers-in-law, Ted White and Edgar Allen, and one sister-in-law, Celesta Edwards.

Survivors include four daughters, Sherri Stevenson, Tammi Allen, and Cindy Nelson all of Aurelia, and Kathy Allen of Cherokee, one son, Dale Allen of Sioux City, three granddaughters, Staci and her husband David Krier of Urbandale and their sons Thomas and Jackson, Suzanne Gustafson and Bill Meister of Aurelia and her daughters Elizabeth and Victoria, and Amanda Nelson of Aurelia. Also surviving are two brothers, Boyd and his wife Peggy Grashoff of Aurelia, and Russell and his wife Doris Grashoff of Cherokee, one sister, Karol White of Cherokee, two sisters-in-law, Jan Grashoff and Viola Allen both of Aurelia, one brother-in-law, Dick Edwards of Storm Lake, nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.