Anna Mae Allen
Anna Mae Allen, 86, died June 9, 2017 in Topeka. She was born on June 20, 1930 at Dodge City, Kansas the daughter of C.N. “Tiny” and Lucille (Castor) Winkelman.
She was raised in the Bloom community, graduating from Bloom High School in 1947. She married Leon Allen on October 26, 1947 and they made their home on the family farm in rural Dodge City. While Leon farmed and raised cattle, Anna Mae invested her time as an active volunteer in the Bloom and Dodge City communities. Anna Mae was active in the outreach of the Women’s Society of Christian Service and Christian Education programs for children and youth in the Bloom Methodist Church. One of the most enriching experiences in her early adult life was to complete the four year Menninger Bible Study curriculum with a group of women from Bloom and Dodge City. In 1963, she and Leon were part of a People to People tour with a group of Kansas farmers to the Soviet Union and other countries behind the Iron Curtain. She and Leon enjoyed traveling throughout their nearly 70 years of marriage, many times with a travel trailer.
After their oldest son, Ron, went off to college, Anna Mae suspended her volunteer activities to return to college and earn a Bachelor’s degree in Education from St. Mary of the Plains College in 1971. She then taught 5th grade at Miller Elementary School for thirteen years, enjoying the love of learning with boys and girls. She loved them and they responded positively to her. After Anna Mae and Leon retired, they continued to enjoy traveling, always looking forward to renewing friendships with friends during the winter months in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. In 2014, Anna Mae and Leon moved to the Atria Hearthstone retirement community in Topeka.
She is survived by her husband, Leon Allen, of Topeka; son Randall Allen and wife Ivalah of Topeka; daughter-in-law Jane Allen, Dodge City; grandchildren Joel Allen and Ryan Allen, Dodge City; Julie Tschanz and husband Kurt, Hays; Kyrstin Bervert and husband Jason, Topeka; Blake Allen and wife Erica, Topeka; and great grandchildren Kayla Allen; Ethan, Emma, and Evan Tschanz; Maxwell and Tate Bervert; and Brinley and McKinley Allen. Anna Mae is also survived by sisters Brenda Strickler of Argyle, Texas and Rita Starr and husband Jimmy of Topeka, brother Mark Winkelman and wife Susan of Dallas, Texas; and brother -in-law Howard Rima of Perryton, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her father C.N. “Tiny” and step-mother Dorothy Winkelman, mother Lucille and step-father Lyman Parnell; son Ron Allen; and sister-in-law Nova Rima.
Funeral service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home on Wednesday June 14, 2017 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Jerre Nolte presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 from 1:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church, Dodge City, to provide back to school shoes for students, and camping opportunities for youth in care of the funeral home.
