<p>Sept. 10, 1930 - July 22, 2012</p>

Sept. 10, 1930July 22, 2012

Lorene Allen, 81, died July 22 in John Day. Graveside services were held Tuesday, July 24, at Canyon City Cemetery.

Mrs. Allen was born Sept. 10, 1930, in Broken Bow, Neb., to Russell and Maude Cole. She graduated from high school in Broken Bow, and graduated from St. Paul Bible College in St. Paul, Minn.

On Aug. 1, 1953, she married Royel Allen at the Methodist Church in John Day. Together they raised three children: Pete, Rod and Susie.

Before retirement she owned The Book Cover, a bookstore in John Day, and partnered with her husbands business, Allen Contracting. She also authored several books, including poetry, and biographies of Jessie Dale Gardner and Stan Phillips; was a county judge, the top administrator for Grant County; and was the countys civil defense coordinator.

She was known for her work with the John Day Historical Preservation Foundation and the Geneological Society. She was also a member of the United Methodist Church, and involved with the Blue Mountain Hospital Auxiliary, Mt. Vernon Grange, Juniper Arts Council and Kam Wah Chung museum, American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, as well as many other nonprofit organizational boards.

She was a pilot, a ham radio operator and multi-talented musician, playing the piano, organ, guitar, cello, violin, flute, trumpet, marimba, and many other instruments. She wrote several fourth-grade plays and school Christmas programs with music teacher Al Olson for Humbolt Elementary.

Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Royel; her children Pete (Sally) Allen, Rod (Taya) Allen and Susie (Jason) Snyder; sister Mary Pitman; brothers Bob and Bill Cole; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; Garry (Carol) Allen and numerous other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her sisters Lucille Jones and Virginia Cole, and granddaughter Kimberly Allen.

Arrangements are under the care of Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.