Joyce Elaine Allen

Princeton – Joyce E. (Carlson) Allen, 81, passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at the St. Anthony’s Medical Center in Rockford, IL., surrounded by her loving family. Joyce was born on February 12, 1939 in Princeton, IL. to the late Gilbert and Norma (Polson) Carlson. She was a graduate of Princeton High School, Class of 1958. She met John “Fred” Allen after he returned from serving in the United States Air Force. They married on May 12, 1968 at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Princeton, IL. She worked as a bookkeeper for Bureau Services for over 25 years. She also worked for Walmart in the garden center for 23 years before retirement. She was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church, Quilters Guild, Garden Club, Pink Ribbon Club, Princeton Women’s Bowling Association as well as the Princeton Bowlers Hall of Fame and a longtime volunteer with the Bureau County 4-H and the Princeton Moose Lodge. Joyce loved to garden, vegetables or flowers, she could grow anything. Always serving her family fresh vegetables with their meals and beautiful flowers, inside and out, including her dinner plate dahlias. She loved to cook and bake. Some of the family favorites were her pumpkin bars, Swedish lutefisk or oyster pudding. One of her favorite hobbies was bowling. Something the entire family did together. One night while the family was at Crown Lanes bowling, their home burnt to the ground. They rebuilt in the same location. Grateful no one was injured, but saddened by all the family photos lost. She was an amazing quilter and made many beautiful quilts. She loved going to the Big Apple with Fred. Something they enjoyed for many, many years. She loved going to her children’s and grandchildren’s extracurricular activities, from sports, to plays or concerts, she very rarely missed one. Her all-time favorite thing to do was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by her four children, Randy (Shannon) Allen of Kasbeer, IL, Ricky (Laura) Allen of Princeton, IL, Sherry (Joe Nicoli) Allen of Hennepin, IL and Shelly (Adam) Miller of Princeton, IL.; eleven grandchildren, Kaylene Allen, Garrett Allen, Johnathon Allen, Nathan Allen, Emma Nicoli, Colton Nicoli, Jenna Nicoli, Levi Nicoli, Haley (Devin) Teske, Kayla Miller and Blake Miller; three great grandchildren, Ariella Teske, Carson Nolte and Haddie Teske. Joyce lost her loving husband of 52 years, John Fred Allen, who passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020. Fred was unaware of his beloveds passing, due to his own health condition. “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.” She is also preceded by her parents, Gilbert and Norma Carlson, one sister, Lois R. Johnson, one brother, Melvin Carlson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Bureau County 4-H. A Joint Visitation will be held for Fred and Joyce Allen on Saturday, December 19, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Norberg Memorial Home, Inc. & Monuments. Mask required and capacity restrictions will apply. A Joint Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2020, at Norberg Memorial Home, Inc. & Monuments at 1:00 p.m. Officiated by Pastor Dereck C. Boggs. This service will be recorded and available for viewing at a later date. Restrictions will apply, due to the current pandemic and the services will be limited to immediate family members only. Graveside services to follow at Oakland Cemetery, Princeton, IL. For both Joyce and Fred Allen. Military Rites will be accorded for Fred. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to their family, friends and community to the outpouring of love, compassion and kindness. Online memorials and condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com (the guestbook and memorial drop box will be available after 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2020 at Norberg Memorial Home, Inc. & Monuments. Arrangements by Norberg Memorial Home, Inc. & Monuments.

Joyce Elaine Allen

February 12, 1939 - December 9, 2020