Allene Deanna Koehn

Allene Deanna Koehn (née  Vondracek) was called home on Tuesday, March 23, 2020 to be with her husband, William G. Koehn and son Kraig W. Koehn and many other relatives and friends who predeceased her. She is survived  by her two daughters Kristen D. McLean and Karen Koehn Ballard and her niece Sharri Poulson Speaker. Allene took great joy in her grandchildren Shannon and Lauren Ballard and Daniella and Connor McLean as well as her step grandchildren Cole and Emma Devos-McLean.

Allene was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on January 24, 1937. The only child of Joseph Vondracek and Myrtle P. Vondracek (née  Frost), she was a true child of the greatest generation. As a child she enjoyed singing in her Presbyterian Church choir, playing piano and tap dancing. She graduated from McKinley High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1955.

In September of 1959 she married William Koehn who would be the love of her life for 46 years.  Bill and Al, as she was known to most friends, had three children, The twins (unexpected twins), Kraig William and Kristen Deann, followed a few years later by Karen Lee.  They moved to Bradenton, Florida in 1965 where they spent the rest of their days. Both Allene and Bill loved their community and were active volunteers for the DeSoto Celebration, South Florida Museum, The Manatee Players and the Girl Scouts. For many years, first Bill and then Allene were trustees of The Eaton Foundation, a charitable foundation which distributed funding to The Manatee Players, the library and other Manatee County charities.  Allene’s greatest satisfaction, however, was serving the congregation of Hope Lutheran Church where she continued to volunteer until this last year.

Allene loved to travel.  In 1957, she took her first trip abroad to Cuba.  While there, the Cuban Revolution flared up and she was forced to stay in her hotel room the entire time.  It was a decade before she would travel overseas again. Over the years she visited most of the 50 states, Europe, and the Caribbean. She especially enjoyed cruising and camping.  In the 1980s her love of travel influenced her and her husband Bill to purchase Bay Area Travel and Dixie Tours. She managed these companies until her retirement in the 1990s.

A Memorial Service will be held at Hope Lutheran Church later in the fall.   We know that many would like to join in remembering her, but in light of the COVID-19 concerns we will not be able to gather together at this time.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Hope Lutheran Church.