Madison, Wis. —
MADISON, Wis. - Jo Ann Yadon Allen, age 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, at Oak Park Place in Middleton, Wis., where she had resided for the past year.
She was born on Dec. 16, 1924, to Grace Sawyer Yadon and Robert C. Yadon, in Tulsa, Okla.
Jo Ann grew up in Tulsa, graduating from Central High School and then going on to college at Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater (OSU). It was there that she met an irresistible young man named Gene Allen and in spite of an awkward first date (a funny story she retold countless times over the years), they fell in love. They decided to wait until Gene completed his tour of duty in the Army during WWII to tie the knot. Jo saved every one of his letters from the time he was in basic training through his service in the European theater.
Jo Ann and Gene were united in marriage in the summer of 1945, and were blessed with a life together that lasted nearly 66 years, until Genes death in 2011.
The couple raised a family in Madison, Wis., and upon Genes retirement in 1983, moved back to Oklahoma where they enjoyed many years of travel, recreation and home improvement. Jo Ann was also an active member of her local Methodist Church.
Always the supportive wife and mother, Jo Ann took great pride in all things domestic. She consistently put the needs of others ahead of herself. She took great pride in managing a household and providing a loving home for her family. Jo could always be counted on to step up when needed for various community functions. She was a trusted friend, a gracious hostess and an expert seamstress. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary. She surrounded herself with pictures of family and friends, carefully archiving cherished mementos of happy times.
Jo Ann is survived by a daughter, Melissa (Patrick) Oloughlin, of Madison, Wis.; and a son, Joel, of Berkeley, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Sean and Erin Oloughlin, of Madison, and Grace Quinlan Allen, of Chicago, Ill.
The family will gather for a private celebration of life and burial in Joplin, Mo in early December.
The family is very appreciative of Oak Park Place in Middleton, Wis. for their care and compassion and for helping to make the past year such a positive one for Jo Ann. It is suggested that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
To view and sign this guestbook, please visit:
ryanfuneralservice.com
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Jo Ann Y. Allen
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