Gary Ivan Allen, age 84 of Long Prairie, passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
A Memorial Service was held Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Long Prairie, Minnesota. Burial took place at Moses Dane Cemetery in Burtrum.
Gary was born on April 6, 1942, to Ivan and Alice Allen. After graduating high school, Gary joined the US Army and served in Germany until being honorably discharged in 1967. On January 16, 1969, he was joined in marriage with Lorrie Ann Borchard, the two were blessed in their marriage with two children Rusty and Chad. On June 8, 1996, Gary lost his beloved Lorrie. Years later he met and married Diane Thieschafer on August 7, 2017, Diane and Gary would make their home together and blend their families happily.
Gary worked as a DOT driver for the State of Minnesota for most of his life, driving snowplow in the wintertime and always having the plow ready whenever it was needed. Dedicated to his work and to his family fiercely, Gary would come plow the roads whenever called upon, even on Christmas, but would still take the time to watch his children open presents. Gary enjoyed all the outdoors had to offer, hunting, fishing, gardening, and in his later years, taking a break from the snow to spend his winters in Texas. Gary was generous, wonderful, funny, and a good listener with the biggest heart. Gary will be dearly missed by his wife, his children, his stepchildren, his church, and every soul who was blessed to call him a friend.
Gary is survived by his wife, Diane; children Rusty (Angela) Allen and Chad (Stacey) Allen; stepchildren Dewey Thieschafer, Barb (Eugene) Maland, Kyle (Shiela) Thieschafer, and Tami (Steven) Dobis, grandchildren Aliza and Zachery Allen; brother James (Karen) Allen; sister Arloine (Ronald) Hoffman; and many step grand and great-grandchildren.
Gary is preceded in death by his wife Lorrie; parents Ivan and Alice; and brother Robert.
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