Gary John Allen

Gary John Allen

1949-2026

Gary John Allen passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at Aurora Medical Center of Kenosha Hospital on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the age of 77. For many years, he suffered from the rare neurological disorder Witzelsucht and memory decline before finally being diagnosed with vascular dementia in April 2026. Like so many other victims of dementia, he succumbed to complications from pneumonia.

Gary was born on Monday, May 9, 1949, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the son of the late John and Barbara (Johnson) Allen. He was educated in the schools of Virginia, Minnesota, graduating from Roosevelt High School. Gary married Margaret “Louise” Robertson (née Tourigny) on November 11, 1979, in Virginia, Minnesota.

He joined the United States Navy Nuclear Power School and studied to become an Interior Communications Electrician in February 1968, after which he served on the USS Saratoga during the Vietnam War and then on the USS Trippe until 1985. Over the next four years, Gary got to do what he loved best, teaching at the Great Lakes Naval Station in North Chicago, Illinois. He retired from the U.S. Navy after 21 years of service in 1989.

Gary and his family then moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and he worked as an Instrument Maintenance Technician for Commonwealth Edison in Zion, Illinois from June 1989 until the plant shut down in 1998.

He finally returned to the Great Lakes Naval Station as a Technical Instructor teaching electricity and electronics to new Navy personnel in May 1998 where he retired in April 2014.

He was a proud member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday School for many years. His hobbies included listening to music, golfing, bowling, cheering for the Minnesota Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves and North Stars and playing fantasy sports. But most of all, he loved spending time with his friends and family.

Gary will always be remembered as a loving provider and for his kindness, generous personality and helping others when he could, including volunteering with charitable organizations.

Gary is survived by his wife Margaret “Louise” Allen of Kenosha, WI; children: Jerry Allen of WI, James (Holly) Allen of TN, Pam (Mike) Butters of IL, Randy (Darlene) Robertson of MN, Amy (Jon) Totts of Kenosha, David (Connie) Watson of TX and Paul (Marcia) Watson of IL; brother, Dennis (Judy) Allen of MN and sisters Cheryl Renne, Connie (Bob) Mitchell and Cathy (Jim) Anderson, all of MN; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and many nephews and nieces. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Grams and Gramps Johnson, and his son, John Allen.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Kenosha Funeral Services & Crematory

8226-Sheridan Rd.

Kenosha, WI 53143

(262) 652-1943

www.kenosha-funeral-services.com