Jane Margaret Allen

Jane was born on October 30, 1950 in Ortonville, Minnesota, to Dayton and Margaret (Oswald) Lauthen. She attended school in Fertile, Minnesota and graduated from Tracy High School in 1968. Jane received a degree in Nursing from St. Olaf College in 1972. She married Dale Allen in 1982, and they resided in Huntington Beach, California.

Jane began her career as a Registered Nurse at a Veterans Hospital in California. In 1975, she continued her career in the Obstetrics Department at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital. She was promoted to Nurse Manager, and everyone knew that if Jane gave you a thumbs up, you were good! Jane transferred to the Orthopedic Unit where she continued to mentor new nurses. She also worked in Pain Management and in 2007 moved to the Quality Assurance Department where she worked until her passing. Jane’s colleagues appreciated her kind spirit, grace, and calming presence in the face of high stress situations.

Jane was a constant caretaker in all aspects of her life. Family members and friends received handcrafted gifts – every new baby in her life received a blanket from “Aunt Jane.” She loved the camaraderie of sitting and knitting with other crafters. Lively and competitive game playing was a large part of Jane’s life, whether it was cards, dominos, Yahtzee, bowling, or dice games.

Jane was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, in Huntington Beach, California. She was a Christlike example as she lived out her faith and was always willing to help someone in need. All who knew Jane will remember her unique ability to listen without judgment and accept people unconditionally. She will also be remembered for her thoughtful cards and the calendars she kept with important dates. She never missed an opportunity to shower someone with love.

Jane lived with dysferlinopathy, a form of muscular dystrophy, for over 35 years. She was an inspiration, valiantly persevering and rarely complaining through this painful and progressively disabling disease.

Jane is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother, John (Deborah) Lauthen. She is survived by her brother, Mark (Barb) Lauthen of Iowa; sister, Mary (Douglas) Gorder of Minnesota; brother, Robert (Ann) Lauthen of California; stepchildren, Robyn and John Allen along with many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and countless cherished friends.

Memorial donations may be made to: Grace Lutheran Church (Huntington Beach, CA), World Vision, or Muscular Dystrophy Association.