Hi Mom,

Today it’s 10 years. I received a call a couple days after your death that you had passed away.  It was horrible grieving alone. I read about how I could attend your memorial in the newspaper. It was at the deli where you worked up until 2 weeks before you died. I was afraid to go by myself so I brought friends with me. I still grieve.  

I talked about the wedding dress you made for me. You were such a hard worker. Everything you did you did in mass quantity but not a wedding dress. Only for me did you make a wedding dress. Maybe I was the special child. I don’t know. I never felt special.

They told me I was like you. You were thought of fondly in death. Maybe I will be too. 

I’m sad. I’m sad to be alone during a pandemic. I was sad to be alone in a family of 9 children. That’s all I know. 

I work hard too. I learned that from you. I’m not a seamstress. I just know there are many characteristics I have that you had. Like you, I speak my mind too. 

Everyone is getting older but everyone is the same.

Love,
Lisa



I loved reading about Mary Ann's life! I would have never guessed she was a Rod Stewart fan! How lucky you all were to have such a wonderful, loving mother/grandmother. I always enjoyed seeing her when she attended her grandson David's baseball games, and my whole family were fans of her famous rolls!! Your family is in our prayers.

I will never forget my beloved Nana.  She was more than a grandma to me; she was a co-worker, an exceptional caretaker and above all, a good friend.  She always wanted to know about my life--my classes, my boyfriends, my friends, important events.  Being a part of my life was always a priority for Nana.  That is one of the biggest reasons that my husband, Jim, and I celebrated our wedding on August 7th 2010 - Nana wanted to be present.  And she was!  It made our day so special, one that I will not soon forget.  I will forever be greatful for my wonderful grandmother.

Dear Alman Family, I am sorry to hear about the passing of Mary Ann. Deliworks was my first job which I have the fondest memories. I will always remember what big hearts Ray and Mary Ann have. I will never forget Mary Ann's famous mint oreo pie...I feel blessed for having the memories.
God Bless

To the Alman family...
We are saddened and sorry to hear the news of Mary Ann's passing.  Please accept our most genuine condolences.  After moving our home and work to the other side of town, we did not get the chance to stop by the Deli Works all that much anymore, but we never forgot the great lunches, ambience, and the camaraderie with you all.  Your mom was a huge part of that.  We will miss her and she will always be in our memories.

Baby Boomer's growing up in Watseka,IL will always have great memories of both Mr and Mrs Alman (Mary Ann).Owning/operating the A&W working extremently long hours while setting a great example of hard work for not only their children but for every young person growing up in the area.
They provided free Root Beers for all young athletes after every ball game for both the winning/ losing teams. Mr Alman always coming out to discuss each game with the players & leaving Mrs. Alman to work twice as hard covering his duties.The High School kids which cruised the town with a circle around the A&W. Families stopping by to get their wkly. gallon of Root Beer to keep in the Frig. Just a few of many nice memories for many of us.
The Alman's/A&W were much of the fabric of a Norman Rockwell like setting growing up in Watseka and rural Illinois. Few people in your life are due the respect when older to always be addressed as Mr.& Mrs. Mary Ann & Ray are two such people.

To the Alman family,
Bob and I are saddened at the passing of Mary Ann. We will miss her greeting us as we enter the deli and talking with her about our families. Her onion rolls and desserts were the best I have ever had along with the ""Bob burger"".   Our condolences, we will all miss her.

My husband and I have been going to Deli Works for many years.  We were always treated like family and loved to hear stories from Ray and Mary Ann about Chicago.  They watched our children grow and then our grandchildren.  Mary Ann knew each of them by name and would always ask about them.  We were blessed to know her and become friends with her and Ray and her children and grandchildren that always worked along side of her.  We will miss Mary Ann very much.

To the Alman Family,
   Please accept our condolences for the loss of your mother. All of us here at AAAH! The Kitchen Place have enjoyed her home made cakes, pies and breads for many years. She was a pretty special woman and we will all miss her.
           Sincerely,
            Kirby and Connie Clarke

Dear Aunt Mary Ann was a faithful wife, an amazing mother, a great cook, and a hard working woman with a sweet smile for everyone.  She said what she meant, and at the same time she had a true concern for others.  She was a sweet, unassuming woman who deeply loved her family.  God be with her family and all those who knew and loved her.  We will miss you, Aunt Mary Ann.

Alman family, 
I can remember when the deli opened on College Ave just across the street from our new business.  I remember running across the street alomst daily for the best food ever and hanging out to talk at the end of the day.  The Alman family feels like extended family to me and I credit that to Mary Ann and Ray who wanted to know each and every customer and worked to make that happen.  I will miss you Mary Ann.

God bless all of you at this time. I worked as a car hop at A&W. I think it was in 1968. I will always remember that job.  Love to all.

Mary Ann Alman, my mother-in-law, was a strong, no nonsense woman with a wonderful love of family.  She prepared her Sunday dinners with enough delicious food to feed an army.  For those who believe that ""All Dogs Go to Heaven"", Mary Ann is now surrounded by Schnauzers.  For those who believe in rebirth, somewhere there is a family with a new Schnauzer puppy that they will name ""Nana"" and they don't even know why.  We know.  
Nana we love you and miss you.
Curt

Mom, with much regret I am saddened to not be invited to be at your bedside when you died or at your recent grandaughter's wedding whereby all of the Alman family could have been there for the very last time. Growing up, I often heard siblings say to me ""you are just like Mom."" Is it because I speak my mind when feeling wronged and hurt? Is it because I have strong work ethics and values, that family is so very important to me? Life is so contradicting. I wish we could have made peace before you passed away. I wish you could have loved me as much as your dogs. I wish I could remember you saying you loved me before you died. I wish you would have not gone so quickly. Released from the hospital on a Friday and gone on an early Monday. What happened? From a distance I loved you daily. I grieve now for the mother I lost a long time ago. Now, I grieve for the mother never had. Sorry Mom, I tried to do my best. Sometimes doing your best is not good enough. With unconditional love, Lisa6of9

To Mary Ann's Family,
Our hearts go out to you.  We know how hard it is to lose a parent.  Mary Ann was an amazing person, so active and great banana cream pies!  We loved having she & Ray as restaurant neighbors at Hickory House.  Two of the nicest people!  We will make a donation to the Humane Society in her honor.  Chris & Tammy Chandler

Is it possible that how we face our mortality can be a metaphor for how we live our life? I think that was the case for Mary Ann. She kept moving forward, with a clear-eyed and practical vision of how she wanted to live. And at the end of the day, I think her passing was another expression of this. She left with dignity, supported by her loving family.
I met Mary Ann in 1986(?), when Kris brought me up from Albuquerque to meet the family in a sort of ""trial by Almans"".  I'll never forget that weekend. I have to admit, I was pretty intimidated facing  Kris's family for the first time. There were so many of them! And they all seemed eager to poke at me a little, to see what I was about. It was all in fun. In the middle of all that, Mary Ann (and Ray) always made me feel so welcome. I'll always be so grateful for the love and acceptance that I, and Leah and Nathan have received as honorary Almans. I love you Nana. And we'll all miss you.
mike

Mom, I miss you!  I am your cry baby redhead who either wanted you or Uncle Alf as a baby.  Memories galore I have with you:  going to the fabric stores, seeing Rod Stewart and Barry Manilow, driving to Value Village when I was still getting my driver's license, going to Sam's with you every Tuesday with your dog Lexie's remains in the car.  I could go on.  Mom, you called a couple years ago to tell me that my friend Scott Muirhead  had died.  I was in shock and went in another room to hear Bob Dylan singing on the radio Knock, knock, knockin on heaven's door and I knew that was a message for me.  And you hated Dylan's voice and you told me that every time you heard him.  But Mom, we are all knockin on that door and want to be back with our Lord in His glory with our resurrected body.  I will you see you there smiling bright again very soon.  Thanks for the memories! Much love for you Mom.  Thank you Jesus

Dear Alman Family,
What a wonderful person Mary Ann was...I read all the memories, there is little I can add to what they have already said. She was one of the best cooks ever! I met Ray and Mary Ann in 1985 when I started working at the Humane Society. We would order lunch alot and have it delivered. Yum, I can taste those brownies now! You can be proud you had her all those years, what a blessing she was. It's so hard to say good-bye, but memeories last forever! Cherish each one, take care,
Ginger

Debbie & family,I am so saddened by the news of your Mom's passing. She was a remarkable women who lived her life authentically which made her one of a kind. Just a year ago, I came to Colorado to meet the schnauzer breeder who helped mend my broken heart as I coped with the loss of my schnauzer, Stella.  She didn't believe I would come all the way to Colorado but I knew it was a special adventure that I had to partake in. Mary Ann spoke to my heart and helped me mend and move forward when we spent an unforgettable weekend together with you & your beautiful family and friends.  By taking home one of her puppies (Talia) to Florida, I was part of her legacy & still hold onto all of those special memories which I will always cherish.  You were truly blessed to be her daughter and I can only imagine the fun and magic all of you shared over the decades.  I am sure Stella is loving her to pieces right now.  May God bless his newest Angel and may she never be forgotton.
Patrice & Tali

To Mary Ann's Family,
It is with great saddness that I read of your mom's passing.  She was an amazing woman to all!  
I am the proud owner of one of her dogs his name is ALIE in honor of her! He is a black and silver male. 
She will be missed as will her presence at the Deli Works!
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you start a new chapter in your lives.
Love and prayers!
Tammie Hanawalt

I love you mom and will miss you. I really enjoyed our long conversations during my long ride home every night. If one were to call the kettle black, you are as black as me. The apple did not fall far from the tree. Your influence upon my life has been immense, however I have taken a few vacations.
I cannot believe how much stamina and will you have had and how you were to pick yourself up despite the adversity you dealt with.
Having so many kids and spreading your love with each one of them is only now being realized.
I guess I was the spoiled one having much more time to spend with you. If you can believe I still remember you me pushing me up to the litle sandlot on Ashland Ave. And most recently your crying on the sofa our last nite together.
Thanks so much for your love, your stength and time we have spent here on earth.
Love Steve

We are very glad to have been with you and Ray, and your beautiful family and friends recently for Meryl's wedding. You were beautiful! In a private moment, you told Lourdes and I that you would be gone soon. I said, ""I love you Mary Ann"". You told me, ""I know you do Richard"". Enough said. Farewell Aunt Mary.

Dear Alman Family,
I have been coming to your restaurant for years. I used to love coming and talking w/ Ray and seeing Mary Ann--who was always very busy creating delicious food.  We warmly connected because I am one of nine children from Peoria, IL (8 girls/1 boy).  I moved to FTC in 1979, loved it here too.  My husband Chuck & I enjoyed their down home spirit and cooking.  Mary Ann was so caring in our conversations when Chuck was sick.  She shared our thankfulness when he recovered.  She was an amazing, dedicated woman and we will miss her.  Much love to your entire family during this sad time.

Dear Debbie and Family-
We are so very sorry to hear about Mary Ann's passing.  She was a wonderful mother and caring grandmother.  We are thinking about you all in the very difficult time, and hope the happy memories will help you through.  Love, Sandy, Dean, Greg, and Eric Dahlberg

God bless your family. She was a special person.  She was strong, honest, determined, loyal, witty, and incredibly proud of her family.  I miss talking to her.    I send my best wishes in your time of loss.

Looking back, I realise just how loving  my grandmother (Nana) was to the whole family.  I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to grow up with the family restaurant through the years and get to know my grandmother in the process.  She was the epitome of a hard working individual and 'called things as she saw em'.  I have fond memories of sampling her famous bread dough as a kid at the Deli Works while chatting with her at the same time.  I also remember wearing the cute outfits that she would sew for me as well.  These are priceless memories!
With time, my family will move forward but will never forget our Nana.
-Andrew

I send my hearfelt sympathy to Mary Ann's family.I was blessed to have known her when I was a young car hop at A&W in Watseka. I learned a lot of life's values from Mary Ann and Ray. I thank you for sharing the legacy of the awesome woman she remained and flourished from the kind sweet boss, mom, wife, friend that Mary Ann was soo many years ago.

Debi and family.  My condolences to you.  I loved her obituary.  It tells a story of a wonderful woman, wife, mother and grandmother.  I wish I could have known her.  She lives within your heart.  Your memories will help thru this sad time.  Take care.

I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your ""Nana"".  She was an amazing woman and I know how much she meant to your family and how deeply she will be missed by all those who knew her.  Our prayers are with your entire family during this immensely painful time.  May all of your memories bring you comfort in the coming days.
We love you guys,
Todd and Tracey James

Debbie, Karin, Ray, and family,
   LeighAnn and I are so sadden to hear of Mary Ann's passing. We have loved your family for such a long time.  The BEST gatherings were at your house. The love and the food was the best.  One of my fondest memories of Fort Collins was Fridays, baked potato soup and a roll at Deli Works and your mother always knowing I was full of bullsh*t. Much Love and God Bless.
Coach Gregg

Dear Friends,
I had no idea that your mom passed away until I saw your Deli sign, ""In memory of..."" This Nancy, who always got a vegi sandwich (now, chicken salad on lettuce) and of course, when available a piece of apple pie! I remember the first day I ventured into ""Deli Works"" during the summer of 1983.I was hooked. Not only on the delicious food, but also, the friendly interest from your mom and dad. It always amazed me how your mom remembered EVERYTHING about me and my family. 
As I drove to work from Loveland, I always saw her car at parked in the same spot, early in the morning. It was somehow very reassuring to see it, knowing she was inside baking. 
Let's not forget your mom's and my time sitting at the court house, waiting to be called for jury duty.Anytime I came in, we would  update our ""call to duty"".
Your lovely mom will be missed, but remembered with fondness and admiration for her work ethic and family values.
With sincere regard,
Nancy Curnes

We were so saddened and shocked to hear of Mary Ann's passing!  we bought our last schnauzer from her just over a year ago and had no idea she was sick.  She was probably the hardest working woman I have ever had the privilege to meet.  It was a blessing for us to have known her!
Tom and Diane Thornton

Mom, 
Words will never describe the pain I feel upon your passing.  For all the years we worked together and through all the ups and downs of life, you were the one who taught us all hard work, integrity and honesty.  I feel honored to have taken care of you at my home at the end of your life.  You were the one to pick me up in some of my darkest moments, and you were always a fun addition to any family get-together we would have.  I will miss picking up the phone to chat to you about nothing, and I will miss not seeing you splattered with flour and your crusty ""goo fingers"" at the Deli from all the homemade rolls you made.  You were so quiet and dignified in death.  Did I tell you enough times that I love you?

I had the privilege to meet Mary Ann when I wrote a review of her restaurant when I worked at the Coloradoan. She was a joy to talk to and always greeted her customers as if they were family. When my partner and I would stop by for lunch, she always had a smile, kind words and amazing food. I will miss seeing her at the restaurant and being on the receiving end of her smile. My thoughts and love go out to her family - she loved you all very much!

As a mother of two children, I truly appreciate the difficulty and rewards of parenting. You gave birth to nine of us--no small feat. Now we are adults who must take steps forward at a time when personal accountability, hard work and integrity are particularly essential. In that regard, we are fortunate to have a mother who has embodied that spirit.
In facing your death, Mom, I have learned how strong and hopeful you were. I hope that you have found peace and that we children can honor you with the same resilience.
All my love,
Kris

We have always been made to feel like very special customers at the Deli Works. Mary Ann recognized Dave's voice when he placed an order and we got to know her granddaughters when they delivered the order. I am sure she was very busy when she took our order but she always had a minute to talk, sharing news about family etc. She was a very special person and we will truly miss her.

We love you all and are thinking of you.  We were so fortunate to know Mary Ann and will miss her greatly.  You guys are the best family ever and she gave such amazing gifts to the world through all of you.  We will celebrate her with you at Deli Works and send you peace and biggest hugs.  Karen, Shane and Elyse

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Mary Ann Alman

22 avril 1930 – 25 octobre 2010

Allnutt Funeral & Cremation - Macy

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