AUGUSTA, Ill. -- Jean Allen, 81, of Lancaster, Calif., formerly of Augusta, died Sunday (Oct. 5, 2008) after a lengthy illness with Alzheimer's disease.

Jeannie was born Oct. 26, 1926, in Coatsburg, a daughter of August and Erma Janssen. After graduating from high school, she attended schooling to become a Western Union operator. She worked in several places including Chicago, and the Redwood City, Calif., area. After marriage to Ernest E. Allen (they had been neighbors, friends and companions since March 1942), they lived in several places as required by working in aerospace.

Jeannie has always been a servant to her loved ones and all others in need. She served the Head Start program in Satellite Beach, Fla., Special Olympics in Lancaster, and she served on the board of directors of Desert Haven Enterprises in Lancaster. She was a volunteer at Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center. She made many small quilts for the maternity ward.

Jeannie was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by her husband Ernie Allen; daughters, Julie Torpy (Vince) of Melbourne, Fla., and Bessie Hayes (Curtis) of Lancaster; a daughter-in-law, Julie Ann Allen of Grapevine, Texas; five grandchildren, Douglas Torpy, Kristina Torpy and Vincent G. Torpy III, all of Melbourne, and Carlee Ann Allen and Chase Allen, both of Grapevine; two brothers, Clyde Janssen of Plymouth, and her twin, Dean (Wilma) Janssen of Augusta; a sister, Doris (Art) Wagner of Golden; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by a son, Elan Allen, of Grapevine.

SERVICES: 10 a.m. Saturday in the Hamilton Funeral Home in Augusta, conducted by the Rev. James Fuller. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Augusta. Services also were held Tuesday in Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lancaster.

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the organizations that are seeking a cure for the terrible disease of Alzheimer's.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hamilton Funeral Home in Augusta.

Obituary contributed by Sue Whitaker