Obituary of Bonnie Jean Allen

Bonnie Jean Allen, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother died in Eugene, OR, on June 13, 2014 due to age-related causes. She was 91. Bonnie Jean was born December 7, 1922 in Portland, Oregon to Lester and Gladys Ballard. She joined her older brother Willard, and eventually became a big sister to Layton, Bob and Howard (Skip). Her family moved to Burns and then settled in Bend. Bonnie graduated from Bend High School in 1942 and headed to Oregon Agriculture College (OSU) where she studied for a term or two. She married Donald Price Allen, of Bend and OSU, on November 13, 1943 as he was preparing for military training and an assignment in the European Theater of WWII. Bonnie returned to Bend for the duration of the war. After the war, Bonnie and Don settled at Adair Village to complete Don’s education at OSU. During this time their daughter Donna was born. In 1949 they moved to Eugene. Bonnie and Don’s family grew to include Brad and Nancy and then ten years later Wendy came along. The family made the most of living in Oregon: camping, water-skiing, snow-skiing, and in later years fishing and crabbing. Huge camping trips with multiple families were enjoyed at Little Cultus, Big Lake, Cottage Grove Reservoir, Cougar Reservoir, Odell and Crescent Lakes. During this time Bonnie enjoyed cooking and keeping a comfortable and welcoming home. She was a talented seamstress and sewed many of her children’s clothes. She played bridge, walked daily, and was a volunteer with the American Red Cross’ Meals on Wheels program for many years. After retirement Don and Bonnie traveled the lower 48, Alaska and Canada in their motor home, coming home summers to fish in the Cascades. They then found a second winter home in Sun City, Arizona where they enjoyed nearly 20 years of new friendships and fun in the sun. Bonnie enjoyed water aerobics and excelled at lawn bowling while in Arizona. With downsizing and finally declining health, they settled back in Eugene where Bonnie spent the last few years enjoying the grandkids and the young great-grands. Bonnie is survived by her husband Don; brother Skip; children Donna Harvey (Warren), Brad Allen (Sherril), Nancy Cline (Jon), and Wendy Wieder (Alan); assorted nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At her request, no services are planned. Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary.