Thora Eleanor Allen

Memorial service for Thora Allen, age 75, of Milaca, will be held on Friday, May 17, 2013 at 3 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca with Rev. Stephen Blenkush officiating. Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca and 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Private interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Memorials are preferred to the Milaca Scholarship Foundation, Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca and the Milaca Food Pantry. Thora Eleanor (Olson) Allen was born August 10, 1937 to Carl Walter and Elvira (Burge) Olson in Phillips, WI. She moved with her family to Milaca in 1949 and started Coast to Coast Hardware, which became Ace Hardware. Thora graduated from Milaca High School in 1955. She was active in band, chorus, theater, was editor of the yearbook and a member of the National Honor Society. She was selected Miss Milaca in 1954. Thora graduated from Hamline University in St. Paul in 1959 with a degree in Biology, Chemistry, and Medical Technology. She married Burton "Pete" Allen in 1959. She worked as a medical technologist at the Princeton Hospital calibrating their existing chemistries and blood studies as well as establishing new studies as the hospital grew. Thora was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church where she taught Bible School, Sunday School, and sang in the choir for over 40 years. An active supporter of her sons in Boys Scouts, she was presented a plaque "In Appreciation for Devoted and Untiring Work" from Troop 19. Education was very important to Thora. She received several awards from the Milaca administration, staff, student body and community for her involvement with projects and committees. Thora was deeply involved with the Milaca Scholarship Foundation. She worked with MSF Chairman Dr. Paul Keith for several years, and after his death in 1993 she was asked to take over his role as awards chairman. She awarded over 1,000 scholarships to Milaca students who wanted to further their education. Over her lifetime, she enjoyed fishing, skiing, golfing, bridge club, and working in her various flower beds. Thora and Pete celebrated 53 years of marriage together, and in their final years, loved spending time getting to know their new granddaughter. Thora passed away on Friday, May, 3, 2013. She is survived by her four sons, Eric (Los Angeles), Andrew (Brooklyn Park, MN), Kirby (Onamia, MN), Matthew (Denver); granddaughter Hailey; sister, Lenore Rebeschini (Los Angeles); sister-in-law, Jean Olson (Wahkon, MN); also by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Pete; brothers, Edgar and Phillip.