Wayne Curtis Allen, age 90, of Howard Lake, previously of Medina, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 28th, 2024, at his home. Wayne was born on January 17, 1934 in Watertown, MN to Elmer E and Orlue M Allen (nee Diers) of Howard Lake, MN. His mother died less than 5 months later, leaving Elmer a single parent to Wayne and his sister Audrey. Wayne grew up with the loving support of his father, grandparents, and his Aunt Alice in his grandparent’s home on Lake Mary. He was baptized and confirmed at Nylunda Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church in Victor Township, Wright County, Minnesota and for many years was affiliated with Trinity Lutheran Church in Long Lake, Minnesota. Wayne’s early schooling was in the country school near lake Mary. He graduated from Howard Lake High School in 1951 and attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN.
Wayne enlisted in the US Navy in January 1953. After training he served as an electronics instructor at Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Unit Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, VA teaching US and Japanese sailors how to maintain and repair electronics systems. He was honorably discharged in December 1956. After the Navy, he worked at Honeywell Aerospace Division in Minneapolis on the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Space Programs where his crew built the on board guidance hardware for John Glenn’s historic 1968 circumnavigation of the earth. After Honeywell, Wayne was a manager in the Manufacturing Department at FMC Naval Systems Division (later BAE Systems) retiring in 1992 at the age of 58.
Wayne was actively involved in Scouting, supporting his sons and grandson in achieving Eagle Scout status. He was honored with the Lamb Award, a national recognition given to Lutheran adults who demonstrate distinguished service in fostering the spiritual growth of youth through the Boy Scouts of America.
In retirement Wayne and his wife, Teri, enjoyed traveling. Together they traveled nearly 300,000 miles, making 8 trips to Alaska, before deciding to “settle down”. Wayne enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, and shooting, and spending winters in Arizona.
Wayne was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will be missed by his wife, Teri, and his four children Steve (Trish) Allen, John Allen, Jeff (Ann) Allen, and Amy (Jonathan) Kappler, his 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Karen (Gerry) Diers, and by his cousins, many nieces and nephews, and good friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Audrey and Yvonne, and his first wife, Lucille Nehring (nee Olson).
There will be a Celebration of Life at Reeds and Rushes in Howard Lake on Sunday, August 18th 2024, at 1 pm. The family requests no flowers or memorials.