Elaine Allen
June 23, 1933 — January 23, 2023
Phyllis Elaine Mallum was born to Beulah Golden Mallum and Sever Mallum on June 23, 1933 near Soilder, Iowa. Her siblings were Floyd Mallum, Loren Mallum, and Marilyn Mallum. Sever was a hired hand so they moved many times. They lived near Ute, Soldier, Whiting, Mondamin, Woodbine, Tennant, and Persia. Elaine graduated from Persia High School in 1952. She met Lonnie Briggs and they were married in 1954. Their son James David Briggs was born in 1955. Lonnie died when Jim was young.
In 1967, Elaine married Lynn Gearhart. Three daughters were born Annette, Jennifer, and Alison. Elaine was a wonderful homemaker. She enjoyed sewing, canning, woodworking, gardening, fishing, birdwatching, and taking care of her grandkids. Some of the places she worked were Booth Enterprises, the Maid Rite, CDS, and Reds Café.
In 1989, Elaine married John Allen and they enjoyed traveling. She built an arbor in her backyard where she often entertained the grandkids.
In 2017, Elaine moved to Elm Crest in Harlan where she continued to make friends and received excellent care. She passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023 attaining the age of eighty-nine years, and seven months. Preceding her in death were her parents Sever and Beulah Mallum, brothers Floyd and Loren Mallum, sister Marilyn Lybarger, husbands Lonnie Briggs, Lynn Gearhart, and John Allen, and grandson Donovan Briggs.
She is survived by her children James Briggs (Keith Dreckman) of Carroll, Iowa; Annette (Randy) Madsen of Kimballton, Iowa; Jennifer (Dan) Rihner of Irwin, Iowa; Alison Gearhart of Harlan, Iowa; grandchildren Jeremy Briggs, Lisa Briggs, Jamie Madsen, Shaina Madsen, Jason (Ashley) Nielsen, Jacob Nielsen; great grandchildren Quentin Briggs, Logan Briggs, Kaylie Briggs, Haylie Jannsen, Dylan Jannsen, great-great grandchildren Oakley King, Bentley Briggs, and Leni Nielsen; many other friends and family.
In 1967, Elaine married Lynn Gearhart. Three daughters were born Annette, Jennifer, and Alison. Elaine was a wonderful homemaker. She enjoyed sewing, canning, woodworking, gardening, fishing, birdwatching, and taking care of her grandkids. Some of the places she worked were Booth Enterprises, the Maid Rite, CDS, and Reds Café.
In 1989, Elaine married John Allen and they enjoyed traveling. She built an arbor in her backyard where she often entertained the grandkids.
In 2017, Elaine moved to Elm Crest in Harlan where she continued to make friends and received excellent care. She passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023 attaining the age of eighty-nine years, and seven months. Preceding her in death were her parents Sever and Beulah Mallum, brothers Floyd and Loren Mallum, sister Marilyn Lybarger, husbands Lonnie Briggs, Lynn Gearhart, and John Allen, and grandson Donovan Briggs.
She is survived by her children James Briggs (Keith Dreckman) of Carroll, Iowa; Annette (Randy) Madsen of Kimballton, Iowa; Jennifer (Dan) Rihner of Irwin, Iowa; Alison Gearhart of Harlan, Iowa; grandchildren Jeremy Briggs, Lisa Briggs, Jamie Madsen, Shaina Madsen, Jason (Ashley) Nielsen, Jacob Nielsen; great grandchildren Quentin Briggs, Logan Briggs, Kaylie Briggs, Haylie Jannsen, Dylan Jannsen, great-great grandchildren Oakley King, Bentley Briggs, and Leni Nielsen; many other friends and family.
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