Allen Klein

Allen Dale Klein was born in Sutton, Nebraska to Alfred and Eva Klein on May 4, 1925. He was the youngest of three boys born into this hard working but poor farm family. As a child he witnessed crop failures from swarms of locusts, brutal hail storms and finally the dust bowl. The family made the heartbreaking decision to move from the farm to North Platte, Nebraska when Allen was about 5 years old. The journey took 3 days and Alfred had to fix nearly 30 flat tires on the way. Just a few years later, they moved on to Ft Collins and Estes Park all the while Alfred took any work he could get in order to feed his hungry family. Sometimes he would get hired only if the boys would work too, without pay. They worked picking cherries and apples and sugar beets. This is most likely where Al developed his work ethic and penchant for punctuality. These two traits stayed with him in full force for all of his life.

Eventually the economy improved and Alfred moved the family to Denver where he found steady work and bought a house. Allen was in 11th grade at Wheat Ridge High School when WW II broke out. Both of his brothers were already off to war and Allen was not about to be left behind so at the young age of 17 he enlisted in the Navy. He spent time in the Pacific and the Phillipines and was honorably discharged in March of 1946.

After he was discharged he returned to Denver. There on a warm summer evening at Lakeside Amusement Park he crossed paths with Jean Stallsmith, a beautiful young woman that he recognized as a neighbor from several years past. There began a most passionate and amazing love story that lasted for the rest of his life. Jean was a war widow with an adorable two year old daughter named Charlene Frances. Allen and Jean were married on November 2, 1946 and the three of them became a family. Allen loved Charlene and was honored to raise her for the father she had never known. The family grew with the birth of son Robert Allen and daughter Pamela Jean. In 1954 they moved into a new little home in Commerce City and there they found their “Home Town”.

Allen worked for Union Pacific Rail Road as a machinist and a few years later he joined Jean in the real estate business. He loved fixing up homes and selling them way before “flipping” was what it is today. Jean and Al owned and operated Jean’s Realty on East 64th Avenue in Commerce City for many years. They were involved in all of the civic and social activities in the city and were well respected and liked.

Jean died in 2009 leaving Al alone for the first time in his life. In 2010 Jean’s sister Dodie came to live with him and they became great companions. They were able to travel together, laugh a lot and just keep each other company.

Al spent the last four months of his life in the Inglenook Retirement Community in Brighton where he was well taken care of. He loved it there and made many friends even in his short stay.

Al left behind 3 children: Charlene (Dave) Busby, Robert (Cindy)Klein and Pamela (Jim) Meier, 12 Grandchildren, Michael (Bonnie) Pinkerton, Cindy (Kevin) Smith, Kristy (Donnie Shepard) Klein, Jason Klein, Tiffany (Ken) Franc, Justin Knoll, Kate Hurst, Patrick Meier, Sam (Katy)Meier, Dan (Alicia) Meier, Cindy (Dennis Padilla) Busby, Christine Busby, 16 Great-Grandchildren, Amanda, Joey , Sonjia , Zachery, Doreen, Dennis, Andrew, Lilly and Samuel and 2 great-great grandchildren: Desiree and David

Allen Dale Klein died on May 11, 2017 in Brighton, Colorado of natural causes from a life well lived. He will be missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, please considered a donation to the Commerce City Historical Society, 6505 East 60th Avenue, Commerce City, Colorado 80022

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, Thornton, CO.