Allen Kent

MEMORIAL SERVICES : 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, MN with Reverend Stephen Norby officiating.SURVIVORS : His wife, Joanne of Park Rapids; his sons: Brian (Jill) Kent of East Bethel, MN and Brett (Brenda) Kent of Park Rapids; four grandchildren: Danielle (Caleb) Pearson, Ryan Kent, Jenna Kent and Jaelynn Kent; two sisters: Audrey (Gene) Schadow of WI and Susie (John) Bain of East Bethel. ALLEN ROGER KENT April 1, 1937 ~ October 13, 2011 Allen Roger Kent, age 74, of the Park Rapids/Nevis area, peacefully passed into eternal life on Thursday evening, October 13, 2011 at the Heritage House Care Center near Pequot Lakes. Allen was born on April l, 1937 in Anoka County, MN to Russell and Elverna (Cook) Kent. It was in this same area that he attended parochial and public schools and grew into manhood. Allen was only 13 years old when his father died. As the only son, he found work wherever he could to help support his mother and sisters. As a young man he began working for the Setchell-Carlson Television Company as a pallet stacker. Through hard work and determination he worked his way up to serving as a plant supervisor. After working for Setchell-Carlson for several years, it was purchased by Audiotronics and Allen"s talents were tapped to work in the mechanical design and research and development departments. After a number of years with Audiotronics, he gained employment working for Sperry-Univac, now known as Unisys, in designing printed circuit boards. In 1999, he retired from a very fulfilling career in research and development where he had earned several patents for his life"s work. Allen was united in marriage to Joanne Mae Rice on August 30, 1958 at the Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Mpls. This union was blessed with two sons: Brian and Brett. The young family made their home in Brooklyn Center for many years. In 1962, Allen and Joanne purchased property on Little Wolf Lake southeast of Park Rapids where he designed and built a cabin for his family. He made it a priority each weekend, spring through fall, to travel with his family to the cabin where he taught his sons how to waterski, bow hunt, fish and fully enjoy the great outdoors. In 1978, Allen and Joanne purchased a new home in Arden Hills. Following his retirement they moved into the new home they built just a mile away from their lake cabin. Allen devoted his life to his precious wife, Joanne, who had suffered a debilitating stroke in 1987. He lovingly cared for her until his own health failed. In 2007, he was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease and endured a number of devastating changes in his life. Above all, Allen devoted his life to his wife, his sons and his grandchildren who he loved with all his heart. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Joanne of Park Rapids; his sons: Brian (Jill) Kent of East Bethel, MN and Brett (Brenda) Kent of Park Rapids; four grandchildren: Danielle (Caleb) Pearson, Ryan Kent, Jenna Kent and Jaelynn Kent; two sisters: Audrey (Gene) Schadow of Grantsburg, WI and Susie (John) Bain of Ham Lake, MN; brother-in-law, Charles (Vivian) Rice of Aitkin, MN, and two nieces, Tammy Grahame and Barb Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial services will be held 2 PM Sunday, October 16, 2011 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, MN with the Reverend Stephen Norby officiating. The organist will be Martha Thompson. Congregational hymns will be: "The Borning Cry", "Faith of Our Fathers", "Beautiful Savior" and "Amazing Grace". Honorary casket bearers will be his grandchildren: Danielle Pearson, Ryan Kent, Jenna Kent and Jaelynn Kent. Following the service a luncheon will be provided by the Calvary Lutheran Church for all family and friends.