Allen Kent Striggow

Allen Kent Striggow, much-loved husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa, passed away on Tuesday, December 25, 2018, at St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington, at the age of 87. Allen was born in Davenport, Nebraska, on August 6, 1931 to the late Carl and Hazel Striggow. He was the second of eight children. Allen graduated from Nelson High School in 1948 and enlisted in the United States Navy on December 3, 1948. He proudly served his country during the Korean War and was stationed off the shores of Korea and Japan. It was rare that you would see Allen and he would not be wearing his Korean War Veteran ball cap. While on leave from the service in August 1952, he married Mary Hansen. Allen and Mary celebrated their 66th year of marriage in 2018. In October of 1952, he was honorably discharged from the service and began his career as a meat cutter in Superior, Nebraska. Prior to moving to Olympia in 1965, his first three children were born, son, Mike, and daughters, Gloria and Diane. After moving to Olympia, his son, Bruce, was born. Allen worked for Stormans Grocery, both as a meat cutter and a supervisor. After 29 years of working in the meat cutting business, he retired. Up until the last few years, you would still find him checking out the meat rack in every store, and straightening it up as needed. Allen was very active with his kids in school activities, especially sports. He served as President of the North Thurston Booster Club. He enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s band and choir concerts and sporting events. Allen was a member of Masonic Lodge #121 in Superior, Nebraska, for 60 years and served as Grand Master in 1961. He was the Associate Guardian for Jobs Daughters Bethel 66 in Superior, Bethel 51 in Olympia, and Bethel 37 in Shelton. He served on the Grand Guardian Council for the State of Washington. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 318 and the American Legion. In 1982, he served on the committee to begin the Lacey Presbyterian Church and was one of the charter members of the church. He was a member of the church for the remainder of his life. He served as an Elder and was on many other committees at the church. Allen began square dancing in 1989 and was a member of the Do-Si-Do club. He remained active in the square dance community, even when dancing became difficult for him. He met many good friends through square dancing and enjoyed this activity with his daughters. Allen and Mary enjoyed traveling and camping with friends. He enjoyed working in his yard. It was rare to find a weed anywhere in his yard. In early 2000, Allen suffered a cardiac arrest while golfing in North Bend. Following his cardiac arrest, he took up walking on a daily basis, which he greatly enjoyed. He could out walk most of us. Allen enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed joking around with everyone. He looked forward to his weekly coffee with the guys at Panera Bread and was always ready to play a game of cribbage. He was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan, Washington State Cougar fan, and Seattle Seahawks fan. Allen is survived by his wife, Mary; his sister, Bonnie Colgrove; his brother, Larry; his sons, Mike (Sarah) of Omak, Washington, and Bruce (Becky) of Reedley, Calfornia; his daughters, Gloria Wilson (Bill) of McCleary, Washington, and Diane Leigh (Curtis) of Lacey; 12 grandchildren, Alicia Kuehn (Matt), Christian Striggow (Britney), Jordan Striggow, Jason Wilson (Charice), Brian Wilson (Elizabeth), Aaron Wilson (Kate), Steven Leigh, Andrea Nygard (Drew), Jeffrey Leigh, Jacquie Gossage (CJ), Miranda VanderYacht (Denver), and Nathan Striggow; and six great grandchildren, Olivia Wilson, Blake and Chelsey Nygard, Daisy and Stetson Striggow, and Calvin VanderYacht. Allen was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Carol Jean Schott, Mona Hansen, Shirley Jacobitz, and Alice June Andelt; and brother, Charles Striggow. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 8, 2019, 11:00 a.m. at the Lacey Presbyterian Church, 3045 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey, WA 98503. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lacey Presbyterian Church or to a charity of your choice.