Allen Herget

Herget, Allen Nielsen

MADISON – Allen Nielsen Herget, 59, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021, at UW Hospital in Madison. He was born Jan. 25, 1962, in Knoxville, Tenn., to William Herget and Lacy Herget (Bridgers). Allen graduated from Jordan High School in Durham, N.C., in 1980. Allen worked for many years as a landscaper in North Carolina before pursuing his passion for southern food and cooking, working professionally as an executive chef and serving as the ever-dependable personal chef for family and friends at the holidays, cookouts and generally anywhere food would be involved. Allen nourished many of us back to health over the years, showing up at our doors with a pot of his homemade soup at even the slightest hint of a cold! Allen was also a regular on the chili cookoff circuit, winning numerous first place and People's Choice awards and was recently recognized by CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) for his amazing and closely guarded chili recipes! Allen's career at one point included a stint as a model for Black Rose Boutique Menswear, and over the years family, friends and even Allen himself enjoyed embellishing this period with their own visions of him on the fashion and catwalk scene! He was an avid sports fan, following baseball, football, basketball and boxing. Allen enjoyed deep sea and fresh water fishing and had a passion for muscle cars, including his beloved 1972 Dodge Challenger that he restored. Allen's greatest prides, however, were his children, Nisa and Jordan, and his stepdaughter, Emily, whose lives were deeply impacted and influenced by his steadfast love, guidance and generosity.

Allen met the love of his life, Sara Pope, in 2003, at Promega in Fitchburg, Wis., where they both worked. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2015. Sara and Allen shared many interests, and their years together were filled with genuine love and much laughter. They enjoyed spending summer days at their place on Lake Wisconsin, where Allen loved to cruise the grounds on his golf cart. A typical Saturday would find them having breakfast at the Eagle Inn in Prairie du Sac followed by a drive back home nearly always interrupted by stops at thrift shops and antique stores, with Allen dutifully waiting in the car while Sara was in hot pursuit for anything vintage. Allen was truly happiest when Sara was happy, and his love for her couldn't be missed by anyone who spent any time around them.

Allen is survived by his wife, Sara; daughter, Nisa Harris (Matt); and grandson, Beau; son, Jordan (Frankie); stepdaughter, Emily; sister, Nancy Herget Winkler (David); mother-in-law, Suzanne Pope; cousins, Centry, Gene, Mandy and Mitch; nieces and nephews, Gabe, Marie, Jason, Sarah, Sean, Ryan, Jenna, Maria, John, Madeline, Liliana, Madison, Bennett, Jackson, Courtney, Jacob and Hannah; brothers-in-law, David, Dan, Jerry and Geoffrey; and sisters-in-law, Jean, Karen, Terri and Jackie. He is also survived by Mary Caravello, the mother of his two children.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents, William F. and Lacy Marie Herget; brother, Fred Herget; sister, Elaine; and father-in-law, John Pope.

A visitation for Allen will be held on Monday, Feb. 22 from 4–7 p.m. at WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 4100 Nakoma Road in Madison. A private family service will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank the Madison Fire Department paramedics for their life saving efforts, as well as the caring doctors, nurses and staff at UW Hospital for their compassionate, comforting care of Allen during his final days.

Allen's loss leaves us all with a void in our hearts, but more importantly he leaves us better people for the example of love, care and generosity he showed us all through a life well lived. We love you, Allen.

Due to the complications of COVID-19, a livestream of Allen's service will be available at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021. To access the livestream link and to view and sign this guestbook, please visit www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

5701 Odana Road

(608) 274-1000