Dorothy Allen

1928 - 2017

Dorothy Allen

Choteau —On April 15, 2017, Dorothy Louise Allen died at her home in Choteau, MT. She was 88 years old.

Dorothy was born on July 6, 1928 to Carl and Laura (Platt) Bloom in Rapid City, SD. She was raised in Hill City, SD where she spent her youth playing in the Black Hills and singing with her childhood friends, "The Pistol Packing Momma's".

She began to play the piano when she was three years old. She became an accomplished pianist and as a young teenager accompanied silent films at the movie theater.

Dorothy attended Black Hills State Teachers College and Chadron State College. She graduated with a degree in music.

On August 28, 1949, she married Charles W. Allen in the Little White Church, Hill City, SD. They were married 68 years. They moved to Choteau, MT in 1954 where they both taught until they retired.

Dorothy was a strong advocate of education for all children. She took great pride in having her 4 children, their spouses and 4 grandchildren involved in teaching. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Dorothy taught private piano lessons for nearly 70 years. She suffered through many lessons, knowing full well the child hadn't practiced all week but encouraging them just the same.

She was a champion for performing arts. She supported the Performing Arts League, Prairie Mountain Players and assisted in many high school and elementary musicals. If anyone needed music for a special occasion, Dorothy was there.

She was a member of The United Methodist Church where she directed the choir, accompanied the choir and was the church organist until her retirement in 2017.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister. She is survived by her husband, Chuck; their children: Ronald (Debra) Allen, Richard (Jolene) Allen, Carol (Tom) Mollgaard, Karen (Tim) Anderson; 10 grandchildren: Rachel, Carly, Sydney-Jon, Jordan, Matthew, Christopher, Jeffrey, Trevis, Daysha, Teslynn, 3 great grandchildren: Sophie, Jasper, Juniper and two special daughters: Lorran Depner and Laura Halverson.

A memorial service will be held July 6, 2017. Donations may be made to Peace Hospice or Bright Eyes Animal Shelter.