Dorothy Larsen Allen

Dorothy Larsen Allen, age 87, died in Kansas City, MO on Wednesday, November 20. The daughter of Arnold N. and Dorothy P. Larsen, she was born in Woodstock, IL, and grew up on a dairy farm in Elkhorn, WI. One of 8 children, Dorothy went to a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade and was taught by the same teacher her mother had. The Larsen family bond was incredibly strong, and her stories of those years on the farm were filled with love and appreciation for the life her parents created for them.

She graduated from Elkhorn High School in 1954 at age 17 and attended Carroll College for a year. She then lived and worked in Milwaukee long enough to make a few lifelong friends but ended up moving to Chicago at age 19 after hearing about a friend who had moved there. She landed a top secretary position with Kimberly-Clark and began an exciting career that she adored. All of her Chicago tales were told with stars in her eyes for this golden era of her life.

In 1961, at a ski club meeting, Dorothy met Cooper H. Allen, Jr. (formerly of Kansas City, MO) and the two were married at the Fourth Presbyterian Church on Michigan Avenue in May of 1964. The couple lived in Evanston, IL, for four years before transferring to Atlanta, GA, in 1968. Cooper simply adored Dorothy.

In Atlanta, Dorothy and Cooper raised their daughter Janet Susan Allen, who was born in 1969. Dorothy took an active role as a mother, serving as team mom of the neighborhood swim team, organizing Brownie meetings, and driving many carpools. In 1976, Olympic swimmer Shelley Cramer came from the USVI to live with the Allens and train in Atlanta. Dorothy loved Shelley deeply and enjoyed staying connected; in fact, their last visit together was this past August.

Once Jan was in school, Dorothy worked various jobs before earning her real estate license and becoming an agent, a job she excelled at due to her social nature and love of helping people find just the right home. Many of those friendships made in real estate lasted all of her life.

After the passing of her husband Cooper Jr., Dorothy moved in 1998 to Kansas City to care for Cooper, Sr. She plunged into life in her new home, volunteering at her husband's old elementary school, working the voting polls, and taking a job with KC Home Health. Her final career move into early education/child care brought her much joy as she taught in several church and school programs, and babysat for many families for years.

Dorothy had friends ranging in age from 2-102, and she loved sports, reading, cooking, gardening, and good conversations. Throughout her life, she worked and volunteered with multiple organizations, starting out in 4-H as a child in Wisconsin. Later, she delivered Meals on Wheels in Atlanta and especially loved helping children as they learned to read in Kansas City. In her neighborhood, she started two book clubs and worked hard to keep kids excited about reading. All of her neighbors meant the world to her.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents (Arnold and Dorothy Larsen), her four sisters (Coris Ebert, Nannette Christensen, Alice Heller, and Lee Barber), one brother (George Larsen), and her husband (Cooper Allen, Jr.). She is survived by her older brother, Roger Larsen, and his wife Katie, and her younger brother, Wally Larsen, all of Wisconsin, and her daughter, Janet Allen of Atlanta, GA, as well as many beloved family members and friends.

And while the last three years were filled with numerous health challenges and hospital stays, Dorothy rallied to make a road trip to Wisconsin with Jan, took a ride on KC's new ferris wheel, and attended the Plaza Art Fair in September.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to any of the following (or to a charity of your choosing): the 4H Sugar Creek Chapter (Wisconsin); the Kansas City Public Library, or the Meals on Wheels organization.

The Kansas City neighbors had a Flamingo "Dorothy Day" on November 24, and a celebration of life will take place in Wisconsin over Labor Day Weekend of 2025. She was cremated and will be buried in the Hazel Ridge Cemetery in Elkhorn.