Obituary of Mary E. Allen

Mary E. Allen, 93, of Columbia, SC, passed away on Friday, December 3, 2021. Born on August 1, 1928 in Yankton, SD, she was the daughter of Howard and Alice Magorien. 

Mary was raised on the Magorien farm, next to the James River in Mission Hill, SD. After getting her Teaching Certificate from Yankton College in 1951, Mary moved to Custer, SD to teach elementary school. While in the Black Hills, she met and fell in love with a charming young man who was attending SD School of Mines. Mary and Gene were married in 1953 at the Vangen Lutheran Church in Mission Hill.

After several moves with E. I. DuPont, they finally settled in Columbia, SC to raise their three sons. Mary and Gene were active members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church since 1967, where Mary was a member of the Sarah group and taught Sunday School for many years.

Mary graduated from Columbia College and earned her Master’s Degree from the University of South Carolina. She taught at three elementary schools until her retirement: Condor, Windsor Lake and Forest Lake. After retirement, Mary and Gene took care of Mary’s father and helped at the farm until his death. They also enjoyed traveling with friends and visiting their children and grandchildren.

The family she leaves behind are her two sons, Jeff Allen (Jean) of Piedmont, SD, and John Allen (Mary) of Columbia, SC; grandchildren, Kristina Allen of Gladstone, OR, Jenara Allen-Lapin (Justin) of San Antonio, TX, Jordan Allen (Sita) of Rock Springs, WY, Scott Allen of Columbia, SC, Meredith Kelly (Daniel) of Columbia, SC, and Amy Campbell (Brendan) of St Johns, FL;  and 7 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene S. Allen; her son, Jay E. Allen; and sister, Arlys Schiedel.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 11:00am at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC, with burial taking place at 1:00pm at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

For many years Mary suffered from Alzheimer’s and is now whole and free from pain. May God welcome her home and her memory be eternal.