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Amy Lund Allanson

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In the late afternoon of February 8, 2021, Amy Lund Allanson passed from the loving arms of her children into the joyous embrace of God, her husband John and all of the loved ones who have preceded her. Our Mom’s transition was peaceful; her last days met with the strength and grace that characterized her life.
Amy was born March 2, 1928 in Ponsford, MN the youngest of 6 children. She spent her high school years in Park Rapids, MN. where she was an excellent student. But she seemed most proud of the fact that she had the lead role in a production of Arsenic and Old Lace. In her 93rd year of life she could still quote lines from the play.
After high school, Amy graduated from the Northwestern University School of Nursing. Her first job was in Tempe, AZ working in a doctor’s office. One day she began caring for a handsome patient named John. He liked her. She liked him. He loved her. She loved him. They got married and spent 56 years loving and caring for each other and raising 4 children together.
Amy served many years in differing capacities as a hospital nurse and eventually as a school nurse, which was her passion. She worked with elementary children for 26 years, in Santa Fe, NM and later in Kansas City, and Apache Junction, AZ. Like John, Amy spent her life furthering health education.
After retiring, Mom committed herself to volunteer activities. She helped in schools, screening children for sight and hearing issues. She was also a part time instructor for Weight Watchers. Following Dad’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, Mom volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Association in Apache Junction. Here she was a group leader for years, even after Dad’s death.
Mom’s devotion to volunteer work reflected the strong Catholic faith that both she and John possessed. It enriched their lives and strengthened their purpose. In this way, Mom served as a Eucharistic minister for more than two decades.
In 1982, Amy and John built their “house of dreams’’ in Apache Junction, AZ and spent nearly 30 years living in the Southwest they loved. There they hosted visits from their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends.
After John passed in 2006, Amy continued as the matriarch of an ever-growing family of “kids” including sons-in-laws and many others eager to claim her as their “mom.” Family reunions were plentiful, Amy delighting all with her famous pasole and chili and her infamous margaritas.
Amy kept friendships from childhood to her death. She loved her friends and they loved her. She also helped start the “Round Robin” as a way for her nursing classmates to “keep up” with each other over the years.
In her last year Amy returned to Kansas City to spend more time with her daughters and most of her grandkids. Amy is survived by her 4 children, Shan (Bob) Williams, Kathy (Tim) Christenson, Terry (Curt) Carter and John D Allanson; 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 16 nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband John, her parents, 5 siblings and grandson Michael.
Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Memorial services will be in Kansas City and Apache Junction when it is safer for gathering.