Susan Gayle Allen, 77, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Lexington Regional Health Center in Lexington.
She was born on August 10, 1946, in Lexington, Nebraska to Thomas and Phyllis (Sawin) Strohmyer. She attended rural, city and St. Ann's Catholic school. On October 10, 1962, Susan was united in marriage to the love of her life, Robert William Allen at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lexington. Three children were blessed to this union: Tracy, Charlene, and Chad. Robert and Susan dedicated 25 years to fostering 265 children. This included children from the State of Nebraska Wards, the Dawson County Wards, and the Foster Parent of Central Nebraska Wards. Susan began working as a contract provider for the State of Nebraska Childcare Chore and Family Support Services beginning in 1984. She then moved on to working for social services with the State of Nebraska from 1997 until her retirement in 2016.
Susan was an incredibly active member in her community. She was a Boy Scouts mother as well as a member of the VFW Auxiliary 5136. She served on the first State of Nebraska Foster Care Review Board and the first Dawson County Parent Child Center Board. She served on the Lexington Childcare Center Board and the Dawson Gosper County Foster Parent Association. She also helped introduce the Special Olympics in the Lexington Public School system. She received Mother of the Year in 1978 as well as the Area III Special Family Award for the 1988-1989 year. She was an instrumental part in starting the Crisis Line in Lexington and would often spend countless hours answering calls overnight at home while the other volunteers were being trained. Susan was a selfless and incredibly caring person who wanted nothing more than to help her community as best as she could.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, Robert Tracy (Laura) Allen of Apple Valley, California, and Chad Thomas (Maria) Allen of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; daughter, Charlene (Danny) Hardy of Sulphur, Louisiana; grandchildren, JuliaAnn Grace Allen, Robert Thomas Allen, Courtney Allen, and Abigayle Allen; great-grandson, William Robert Allen.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for Bobby and Norma Regalado, and Chris and Terri Ferral for the wonderful care they have provided during Susan's time of need. Thank you from Tracy, Chad, and Charlene.
Besides her parents, Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Robert William Allen and her grandsons, Taylor Dane and Riley Thomas.
There will be no visitation as the family is honoring Susan's wish for cremation.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.
Memorials are kindly suggested to the family for later designation.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com