Helen J. Allen

Helen J. Allen passed away October 28, 2017 in Newton Kansas

She was born October 2, 1918 to John and Anna Dudte at the family farm north of Newton, one of eight children. She married Ralph Allen on November 30, 1939. Together they established “Ralph’s Grill” in the 400 block of N Main serving meals to residents of Newton and countless travelers until the early 1960’s. She worked as a book keeper at the courthouse before marrying, then for the restaurant and later at Unruh’s Service.

She was a talented homemaker, gardener, seamstress and cook, and was very proud to be independent.

She lived her last 63 years in the house she and Ralph built on a lot of family land that was part of the holdings of her grandfather that included much of North Newton.

She is survived by her sisters, Dorothy Unruh of Newton, and Elsie Johnson of Fountain Hills AZ., four children: Boni Craven of Pine Bluff Arkansas, David Allen (Debbie) of Golden Valley Minnesota, Shirley Allen of Palmetto Florida, Tom Allen (Sally) of Wichita Kansas, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Allen, her parents, her brothers Fred and Harry Dudte, and her sisters Margaret Gates, Gertrude Jeter, and Mary Williams.

A private family service will be held. Petersen Funeral Home Newton, Kansas is in charge of arrangements.

Her spirit and humor will be missed, but lives on in all of us.

Memorials may be made in Helen’s name to the North Newton Community Foundation