Myrle Ray Allen

Myrle Ray Allen, age 82, of Lake Crystal, died on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at the Madelia Health Hospital.

Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at the Northview - North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Tivoli Cemetery, rural Mankato.

Myrle was born June 28, 1941 in Russell, MN to Eugene and Violet (Halstead) Allen, the first of four children. The family lived in the Marshall, MN area until moving and settling in Mankato. Myrle was united in marriage to JoAnn Marie Johnston on October 21, 1961. He worked several different jobs, working for a block plant, cement company, and even had his own truck for a period of time, before going to work in the Feed Mill at Hubbard Milling. After more than 25 years at Hubbard, Myrle retired in 2003.

In his early years, he enjoyed stock car racing with his father and a cousin. He was always helping someone pull an engine out of one vehicle and rebuilding it into another. On the farm, he always had a huge garden, with plenty of help from his children to take care of it. He and his sons also spent many hours trap shooting on the farm. His most enjoyable hobby was camping. From tent camping, to pick-up camping, travel trailer, and several motorhomes, he and JoAnn camped throughout Southern MN. They began camping when the kids were little with several other family members and their kids, and by the time he retired, they had joined the KatoWheels Camping Club out of Mankato, MN. The Club was a mix of family members, children, grandchildren, sisters, uncle, cousins, and many friends that became like family. In retirement, he loved to try new and different restaurants around the area; eating good food, and spending time with family and friends. His favorites were places with a good amount of food for a fair price.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, JoAnn Allen of Lake Crystal, MN; sons, Todd Allen (Mary Lou Anderson) of Clearwater, MN and Troy (Lori) Allen of Lake Crystal, MN; daughter, Tamara (Glenn) Dyson of St Michael, MN; grandchildren, Ashley (Gavin) Helleksen of Stanchfield, MN, Michael (Summer) Allen of Lake Crystal, MN, Rachel (Andrew) Meyer of Rochester, MN, Kyle Allen of Lake Crystal, MN; and 6 great-grandchildren. Also, brother, Bud (Rosie) Allen of Eagle Lake, MN; brother-in-law, Dale Becker (Deloris) of North Mankato, MN; sister, Judy (Lester) Rustman of Vernon Center, MN; brother-in-law, John Johnston of Olivia, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Myrle is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lorraine Becker; brother & sister-in-law, Bob & Delores Johnston; and sister-in-law, Vi Johnston.

Thank you to all the Madelia Clinic/Hospital teams for their care, as well as the Mayo Clinic Hospital Cancer Center in Mankato, MN.