Denyse King Allen

Denyse King Allen, 83, of Spokane, WA, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2023. She was surrounded by family members and the loving and professional staff of Sapphire at Moran Vista, Horizon Hospice and The Key.

Denyse was born on February 10, 1940, to L.Z. and Irene Sehorn of Astoria, OR. She lived in Astoria throughout her childhood and graduated from Astoria High School in 1958. She worked part and full-time at many positions throughout her young adult and college years, showing early on her strong work ethic.

Denyse furthered her education at the University of Oregon, and as an incoming freshman, received a leadership certificate in recognition of her qualities of character, scholarship, and unusual promise for leadership in public life.

In addition to her studies, Denyse enjoyed other university activities including the university’s outdoor recreation club, participating in outside adventures, culminating in the group's summiting of Mt. Hood. She received a Bachelor of Science from the U of O in 1963.

After graduating with a degree in Education, her first teaching position was in Bellevue, WA as a second-grade teacher, followed by teaching positions in Spokane, WA.

In 1964, she married Jerry King, whom she had met the previous year at a golf tournament. They married in Bellevue, WA and settled in Spokane, WA, where Denyse continued to teach. She and Jerry had two children within the next four years, Steve and Nancy.

During the next several decades, she spent time raising her children, participating in their school activities, helping run her and Jerry's insurance agency, and being involved in church life at South Hill Bible Church.

After Jerry passed in 1996, Denyse married Bernard Allen in 1999, enjoying over 20 years of marriage until his passing in 2022.

Her personal pursuits involved golfing, traveling, gardening, textile crafts, reading, canning, and experimenting with recipes across multiple cuisines. She was also deeply involved in her grandchildren's lives as well as many friends and family in Spokane and elsewhere.

Denyse had a quick smile for anyone and was loved by many. She had a way of making anyone feel comfortable and believed just being with people was important. She had a humorous side that brought additional joy wherever she went. She was deeply loved and loved deeply.

Denyse was predeceased by both parents, L.Z. and Irene Sehorn and husbands Jerry King and Bernard Allen. She is survived by sisters, Deanna Bewley of Forest Grove, OR, and Patricia Arack of San Francisco; children Nancy Janzen (John) of Spokane, WA, Steven King (Leslie) of Cheney, WA, and stepdaughter Debbie Allen (Clyde) of Colbert, WA; grandchildren Ellie Janzen of Seattle, WA, Kate Brenden (Scott) of Renton, WA, Paige King of Cheney, WA, Tess King of Cheney, WA, Isaiah Brown of Colbert, WA and great-grandchild, Tor Brenden of Renton, WA.

Services will be held at South Hill Bible Church in 2023 at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Dementia Society of America or Cru.org, specifically the Mike and Kathy Uno family or the Chris and Marchauna Rodgers family, staff members whom Denyse supported for decades.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HazenJaegerValley.com for the Allen family.