Irene Edyth (Jacobsen) Allen

Irene Edyth Allen was born November 7, 1926, to Harvey and Asta (Thomsen) Jacobsen in Luverne, North Dakota during a snowstorm. Irene passed away peacefully July 6, 2024, at Avamere of Clackamas in Gladstone, Oregon, her home for two years. She was 97 years old.

As a youth, Irene lived in Valley City, North Dakota with her parents and brother, Bud. They moved to Portland, Oregon when Irene was a teenager. She graduated from Commerce High School (now Cleveland), then a business school. Irene worked in a bowling alley and a soda fountain as a teenager. After high school graduation, she worked in various banks and was one of the early users of IBM.

Irene was introduced to James (Jim) Allen by her sister-in-law, Patricia. Irene and Jim were married August 26, 1951, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Portland. While Jim was attending college, they had the first of their four children, Valerie Renée, soon to be followed by Roe Harvey, Skye James, and Dianna Asta. They raised their family on Jennings Avenue in Milwaukie, Oregon where the kids attended Gladstone schools. While Jim was teaching junior high school, Irene was actively involved with Milwaukie Lutheran Church, leading 4-H, driving kids to music and dance lessons, sewing, and taking care of the family and home. There are fond memories of her picking wild blackberries on their acre property for jams and pies.

In 1970, they moved to Eastmoreland. There the two younger kids graduated from Cleveland High School--the same school Irene attended years earlier. Jim retired from teaching and they bought Economy Cleaners and Laundry in Portland. Irene put her expert sewing skills to work as seamstress and alterationist. She could alter anything for anyone. She continued to work at other dry cleaners through the years until she retired. Irene also sold Avon, which gave her grandchildren loads of fun playing with the samples. She proudly earned an Avon trip to New Orleans.

Jim and Irene downsized to a home in Westmoreland on Milwaukie Avenue where she lived for over 30 years. While there, she worked at Fred Meyer Deli, Oaks Amusement Park ticket booth, and sold draperies at Sears. Irene eventually moved to Vineyard Place Independent Living in Milwaukie. As her health and mobility declined, she was cared for at McLoughlin Place Assisted Living in Oregon City and then Avamere of Clackamas in Gladstone.

If music was playing Irene was dancing, even in the final years of her life in a wheelchair. After triple bypass surgery when she was in her 70s, she renewed her love of swing dancing, especially at her favorite venue, the Crystal Ballroom. Irene loved Thomsen reunions on the family farm in Valley City and visiting the Jacobsen clan at the same time. She was very proud of her Danish heritage, as she was “a full Dane” she would say. She and Jim enjoyed many good years with their beach house in Ocean Park, Washington and made good friends there.

Family was most important to Irene. She is remembered for her loving kindness and resilience. As her mobility failed and she was living in long-term care, she began coloring detailed pictures that she mailed to family and friends. She also rediscovered crocheting and made herself two shawls.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 57 years, James Allen--also brother M.E. “Bud” Jacobsen, niece Janice Johnston, nephew Jon Jacobsen, and stepmother Margaret Jacobsen.

She is survived by her daughter Valerie (Randy) Coy, son Roe Allen, son Skye Allen, daughter Dianna Knop, 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and blessed to be a great-great grandmother of two. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Patricia Jacobsen, niece Jodie Hope Wojnowski, nephew Jay Jacobsen, and extended family.

Irene’s remains will be placed in her crypt at Lincoln Memorial, Portland, Oregon. A small family gathering will take place at a future date.