Norman “Norm” Allen, 86, of Baker City died Feb. 19, 2006, at Settler’s Park.
At his request, there will be no service. In the spring his family will gather privately to celebrate his life and to scatter his ashes with his beloved wife’s.
Norm was born on Jan. 26, 1920, at Smyrna Mills, Maine, to Thomas and Delia Allen. He was the 13th of 13 children.
He attended school at Smyrna Mills and after graduating from high school enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Idaho and Washington.
While in Idaho he met his life’s partner, Yvonne Love. They were married at Boise on June 21, 1942.
After World War II and completion of his enlistment, he and Yvonne lived for a short time at Cambridge, Idaho, where he partnered with Yvonne’s brother, Archie Love, and started the Cambridge Telephone Co. They later moved to Smyrna Mills, but both missed the West terribly and moved back, settling at Boise. Norm went to work for Garrett Freightlines where he was employed for 22 years.
Norm loved the mountains. He and Yvonne owned a cabin at Atlanta, Idaho, at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains where, over the years, they spent many weekends and vacations. He loved hiking up to the high mountain streams and fishing with his family.
In the fall of 1968 they sold their home at Boise and bought the Log Cabin Cafe at Sumpter. They found their heart’s “home” at Sumpter. They ran the Log Cabin Cafe for several years before retiring.
At that time they pursued their hobby of placer mining, having several different mining claims over the years.
For many years Norm was an HO gauge train enthusiast. He loved music and played the fiddle, guitar and keyboard. He and Yvonne and son, Mick, had a music combo and played for local dances at Sumpter. Dancing was his greatest pleasure and he and Yvonne went dancing at every opportunity.
He loved watching all sports on TV and was an avid reader.
In the spring of 2000, due to failing health, he moved into Settler’s Park Assisted Living Facility. No one was a stranger to Norm. He made many friends, not only at Settler’s Park, but everywhere he went.
He enjoyed playing his keyboard for the residents at Settler’s Park.
Norm was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, his parents and 11 of his siblings.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Mick and Karna Allen of Sumpter; daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Ray Barzee of Baker City; son, Tom Allen of Mountain Home, Idaho; daughter and son-in-law, Dee and Chuck DeVall of Carson City, Nev.; sister, Ida Stevens of Veazie, Pa., seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and some very special friends at Settler’s Park.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 24, 2006
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor