Neil Keith Allen

Neil Keith Allen, 79, of Effie, Minnesota passed away on May 4th at home in his wife’s loving arms.

Neil was born in Aurora, IL to Ellis and Birdine Allen. He grew up in Elburn, IL on a poultry farm and hatchery. He attended the University of Illinois in Champagne Urbana, IL where he received his PhD. In Biochemistry and Animal Nutrition. He next went to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY where he did 2 years in Post-Doctoral studies. The University of Minnesota hired him in 1973 to teach and do research projects. He met his wife, Sandra Aakhus, there and they were married in 1979. In 1983 they moved to Chicago for 3 years. They then moved to Goldsboro, NC where Neil worked at Goldsboro Milling Co. for 23 years. He did swine and turkey nutrition and much research.

Neil retired in 2009 and moved to Effie, MN to be close to Sandy’s family. Throughout his life he loved gardening, fishing, and watching birds. Neil grew epic sweet corn and shared it with everyone. Neil was an excellent woodworker and spent many hours in his shop turning bowls, Neil loved going to his in-laws and spent many evenings playing cribbage and dice games with Sandy’s family. At their beach house Neil skipped the beach and instead scoured the Bogue Sound for scallops, clams, and blue crab.

Neil and Sandy loved to travel and visited many countries and all 50 states. Italy and Ireland were favorites as that is where we celebrated our 10th and 25th anniversaries. He routinely ran bears out the yard with our dog, Molly, standing bravely behind him. There are a thousand more things I could say about Neil, but I’ll write them on my heart.

In their 44 years together, it was obvious that he and Sandy had a deep and abiding love. Neil was loving and generous throughout his life with favorites being his church, Effie Fredheim Lutheran and the local food shelf.

Neil is survived by his wife, Sandy, two sisters Kay Swift and Jan Herra of Elburn. IL, sisters-in-law Karen Scanlon (Bob Hill), Ardette (Dean) Fritsche, Gail Allen and many treasured nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Ellis and Birdine Allen, brothers Dale, Howard and Gary Allen and nephew Amein Swift. Also preceding him were his second parents Ardean and Betty Aakhus and sister-in-law Linda George.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on June 29th at Effie Fredheim Lutheran in Effie, MN.

Arrangements are being made with Carroll Funeral Home in Deer River, MN.

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