White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Celesta Mae Allen, 87 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Monday, September 19, 2011, at East Towne Care Center in Independence.  She was born on July 26, 1924, in Rowley, Iowa, the daughter of Frank C. and Pearl (Smith) LaTour.  She graduated from high school in Rowley with the Class of 1942.  On October 5, 1943, she and Ronald Dale Allen, Sr., were married in Rapid City, South Dakota.  They farmed in Buchanan County, Iowa, until retiring in 1968 when they moved to Independence.  Mrs. Allen also worked at Peoples Memorial Hospital, the Buchanan County Clerk of Court office, and Grahams Department store after they moved to Independence.  Her husband preceded her in death in 1985.

Mrs. Allen is survived by 1 daughter, Barbara (Dennis) Piazzon Hickey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 4 sons, Ronald (Sandee) Allen, Jr. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Roger (Shirley) Allen and Stuart (Lou Ann) Allen, both of Independence, Iowa; and Martin “Chip” (Mary) Allen of Marion, Iowa. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 1 sister, LaVonne Solberg of Dallas, Texas.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, 1 brother, Donald LaTour, and 1 son-in-law, Lyle Piazzon.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 23, 2011, at the Hope Wesleyan Church in Independence, Iowa, with Pastor Bob Solon officiating.  Music will be provided by Mr. Bob Howlett, organist.  Honorary Casket Bearers will be Tanya Hicock,  Nicole Ahrens, and Melissa Murray.  Casket Bearers will be Michael Allen, Matthew Allen, Andy Allen, Tyler Allen, Adam Allen, Aaron Allen, Jacob Allen, Jeremy Allen, Joseph Allen, and Andy Rich.  Burial will be in Rowley Cemetery in Rowley.  Friends may call for visitation from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at the White Funeral Home in Independence where an O.E.S. Service will begin at 7 p.m.