Christian "Chris" M. Allen

Christian Allen, 49, of Clarion, passed away on Friday, January 26, 2024.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 2, 2024 at St. John’s Catholic Church, 608 2nd Avenue North East in Clarion, with Father Kevin Earleywine officiating.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the church on Friday. 

Click here to view live-stream.

Christian Mark Allen was born April 25, 1974, to Richard and Wyn Ann (Messerly) Allen in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was raised and educated in Eagle Grove, Iowa and graduated from Eagle Grove High School with the Class of 1992. Chris was a four-sport athlete, competing in football, wrestling, track, and baseball. Some of his athletic accomplishments include school records for career home runs and season home runs; Drake Relays Discus Champion 1992; State Runner Up in discus 1992; State Track 3rd place in 110-meter high hurdles; and State Wrestling Qualifier 1992. He was also a member of the 1992 Championship State Dual Wrestling Team! Chris was named to the 1992 All-State Elite Track Team and the 1992 3rd Team All-State Baseball Team.

Following high school, Chris attended Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Boone for two years. He then transferred to Iowa State University (ISU), graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. While in college, Chris was a baseball pitcher for the Bears and the Cyclones. He liked to joke that he led the Big 8 conference in strikeouts per nine, walks per nine, AND hit batters. After graduation, he returned to Eagle Grove, working locally until accepting a position at the Iowa State Training School (STS) for Boys in Eldora. He was a Youth Services Worker until he was promoted to the position of Youth Counselor. After 20+ years at STS, he accepted a Correctional Counselor position at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility. He served in that capacity until he was promoted to Unit Manager, a position he held at the time of his death. In total, Chris worked for the State of Iowa for 26 years.

Chris was united in marriage to Carol Johnson on February 27, 2002, in Las Vegas, Nevada. To this union, sons Bryce and Mason were born. The young family made their home in Wellsburg until moving to Clarion in November 2017. Chris was an active father, coaching youth flag football, baseball, and tackle football. He was also his children’s biggest fan. He was known to be a strong advocate for his players with the officials at games – this may have led to an occasional ejection from a game. Chris enjoyed cooking for his family and friends. Some of his happiest times were spent hosting the boys and their friends.

Chris was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion. He was previously a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Eldora and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eagle Grove.

Chris was the consummate family man, he loved spending time with his wife and kids. They attended countless sporting events and concerts; he loved cheering for Iowa State, the Milwaukee Brewers, and of course, the New England Patriots. Chris supported Bryce’s love of wrestling; they made a cross country trip to Philadelphia, PA for Bryce to attend a wrestling camp with Henry Cejudo and AJ Ferrari. He also supported Mason’s love of track and field; they made a trip to Eugene, OR for Mason to compete in the discus and javelin at USATF Nationals.

Chris enjoyed hunting, playing men’s fastpitch softball, golfing, joking around, and showcasing his pets on social media. He hated camping but did it for years with the family because Carol loved it. Chris will be lovingly remembered for having the biggest heart and the biggest mouth, for his sense of humor and for his efficiency and organization (he kept his family in line!).

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carol, of Clarion, IA; their sons Bryce, of Ames, IA and Mason, of Clarion, IA; his mother, Wyn Ann (Dick) Tighe, of Webster City, IA; his brother, Don (Paula) Allen, of Eldora, IA; sister-in-law, Barb (Frank) Amato, of Iowa Falls, IA; nieces, Wynde (Dustin) Platte and their sons Henry and Joel, of Sheffield, IA and Jenny (Scott) Evans and their son Miles, of Dumont, IA; and countless aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Rick; his brothers, Tyler and Raymond; his sister, Wynde; and his grandparents, Frank and Fran Allen and Floyd and Winifred Messerly.