Marcheta Allen

Published 12:16 pm Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Marcheta “Marty” Faye Runkle Allen, age 79, of Emmons, MN, passed away Thursday night, April 17, 2025, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Marcheta Allen

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services in Albert Lea with a visitation one hour prior.

She was born June 14, 1945, in Stewartville, MN, a daughter of the late Richard and Catherine (Jorgens) Runkle of Grand Meadow, MN. Her brothers are David Runkle of Lakewood, CO and Steve Runkle of Minnesota City, MN.  Her great grandparents immigrated from Norway and helped to found the Grand Meadow Bear Creek area and build the Bear Creek Lutheran Church. She was always grateful and proud of her Norwegian heritage.

She graduated from Grand Meadow High School, class of 1963, and continued her education at Waldorf College in Forest City, IA, graduating with an associate’s degree in 1965. Gifted with a beautiful voice, she was a soloist with her college choir. Among her many talents were baking, reading, listening to music, and being a wonderful & thoughtful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She loved to travel and always had her World Atlas nearby.

She was married for 57 years to Richard Allen, of Alden, MN. They met at the Playmoor Dance Hall in Rochester, MN.  They had three children: Shari Lea Farley (Paul) of Dallas, GA, Robert Edward Allen (Emmylou) of Glenville, MN, & Amy Marie Christenson (Jeff) of Lake Mills, IA.

She had a great love for her grandchildren: Josh, Macy, Samantha, Noah, Trace, Emma, Faith, Annabelle, and Ethan, whom she enjoyed spending time with and seeing their many accomplishments.

She was a friend to many over the years and loved socializing with them — talking and visiting. We will long remember her many acts of kindness, her fun sense of humor, and the many wonderful meals she prepared.

She had a quiet but strong faith in God and exemplified someone striving to follow her Savior, Jesus Christ. She will be greatly missed!