Thomas "Tom" Harvey Allen

Thomas “Tom” Harvey Allen, 78, of Altoona, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Taylor House in Des Moines. His wife of 50 years, Jennie, rode beside him on this final road trip—recalling the many journeys, both joyful and challenging, they shared together.

Tom’s children and grandchildren carry countless memories of life on the farm: from tractor and combine rides to 4-wheelers, grain trucks, and creek-crossing dam-building adventures. Visiting Grandpa’s always meant coming in grubby clothes.

Born on November 7, 1946, in Newton, Iowa, to John and Marian (Eastburn) Allen, Tom was a lifelong Iowan with deep roots in the land and community he cherished. He retired in 2011 from Townsend Plastics, but farming was always his true calling—work he embraced with pride, determination, and love.

Tom’s career was as multifaceted as he was: he worked in auto body repair, insurance claims, supply sales, mechanical maintenance, welding, and farming. A gifted restorer of old tractors and cars, Tom was a true artist at making old things like new again. He was involved in his children’s 4-H and FFA projects and helped serve countless BBQs at the Polk County Fair— always with Jennie by his side.

Tom was a self-made, strong-willed, resilient man who could fix just about anything—or find a creative way to make it work, with wire or duct tape if needed. He thrived on solving mechanical puzzles and building things with his hands. We’re confident he’s already looking for something to fix in Heaven—because staying busy was simply who he was.

He also loved taking his street rods to car shows across Iowa and the Midwest. Though the miles were never tracked, one memorable trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway covered 3,000 miles. He never met a stranger and could talk “shop” with anyone—especially about farming, cars, and all things mechanical.

But above all, Tom’s greatest love was Jennie, whom he affectionately called his “Sweet, Luscious, and Lovin’ Young Thing.” She says life with Tom was always an adventure and that somehow, he survived what felt like nine lives—plus nine more borrowed from others.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Jennie Allen; his children, Kent (Amy) Allen of Altoona, Audrey (Josh) Higgins of Elkhart, and Chad (Megan) Allen of Runnells; and six grandchildren who brought him joy: Justice, Lincoln, Elaina, Camryn, Makayla, and Colby. He is also survived by his siblings, Paul (Lil) Allen, Mary (Wendel) Draman, Kathy Dunbar, and Jan Barton; in-laws, Rita Allen, Nancy Allen, Linda Ostrem, and Ramon Dick; and many nieces and nephews. His friends and family will remember his shenanigans, one-liners and the nicknames he gave them.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marian; brothers, Jack, Jerry, and Carl; sister, Patty; brothers-in-law, Jerry Barton, Roland Spannaus, and Steve Ostrem; and sisters-in-law, Miriam Spannaus and Doris Dick.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Ss. John & Paul Catholic Church in Altoona, Iowa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025, also at the church – with luncheon to follow. There will be a private family burial at Altoona Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family and will be donated to the Polk County Fair in loving memory of Tom.

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