Ben Allen

Dr. Wendell Benson "Ben" Allen, 82, of Idaho Falls, passed away Nov. 4, 2008, at his home of heart failure.

He was born Dec. 9, 1925, in Nampa, Idaho, to James Sidney Allen and Eleanora Benson Allen. He grew up and attended schools in Idaho Falls, including O. E. Bell Junior High School and graduated from Idaho Falls High School. He also graduated from Colorado A&M with a doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine. An avid athlete, he played on the basketball teams in both high school and college.

He married Rosemary Bischoff Sept. 1, 1949, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They made their home in Idaho Falls, where he worked as a veterinarian and operated the Allen Veterinary Clinic until his retirement in 2005. In 1998, he was voted Idaho Falls "Favorite Veterinarian." Rosemary died Dec. 28, 2000.

An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served as bishop of the Idaho Falls Third and Ninth Wards, as well as transient bishop for the area. He also served as president of the Idaho Falls Stake and in various other callings over the years. For 10 years, he was the area director for the LDS Church athletics program. He was an Eagle Scout, hit five "hole-in-ones" while golfing and served on the City Golf Advisory Board. Ben loved golf, reading, sports, his faith and his family.

Survivors include his children, Larraine (Jon) Rowberry of Sandy, Utah, Kenneth Benson Allen of Idaho Falls, Wendy Susan (Gary) McNee of Pocatello, Annalee Allen of Redwood City, Calif., John Robert (Nina) Allen of Rosamond, Calif., Julie (Tim) Hopkins of Lake Orion, Mich.; sister, Eleanor Engebretsen of Florida; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rosemary; a son, David Thomas Allen; a brother, Sid Allen; and a sister, Jean Martin.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at the Idaho Falls LDS Stake Center, 1155 East First Street, with Bishop William Morehead of the Idaho Falls LDS Grandview Ward officiating.

The family will visit with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave., and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery with military rites by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.wood funeralhome.com.