Madelyn Allen

MADELYN "LYNNE" ALLEN nee HARTUNG, age 83, of Aurora, passed away peacefully on her birthday, November 28, 2010 surrounded by her family and now joins her husband George in the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ. BORN: She was born November 28, 1927 in Cullman, AL, to Fredrick Gottleib "Fritz" and Lorraine (Hoenig) Hartung.EARLY YEARS:Lynne’s family moved from the rural environment of Cullman to the city of Birmingham, AL, while she was still young. Her heart remained in Cullman and she often returned to see family, especially her cousins, aunts and uncles, spending countless hours horseback riding in the country. She attended local schools in Birmingham and later graduated from Birmingham Southern College where she met George Allen. They were united in marriage on April 24, 1947 at Christ Lutheran Church in Birmingham, AL. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1951 with extensive studies in foreign languages, a love she would harbor for the rest of her life. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: Lynne and George moved to Louisville, KY, in 1949. Lynne raised three children while George attended graduate school and took a job with the Civil Service. They moved to Ohio in 1957 where they lived for nine years before relocating to Aurora, IL, finally settling in Elburn in 1972. During all this time Lynne never lost sight of her roots, taking her family on the annual vacation pilgrimage to Alabama to see relatives and friends in town and country, uniting her present with her past.MEMBERSHIPS: Lynne and George were faithful members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurora for many years and were also active in the Stevens Ministry and a bible study group. LIFE NOTES: Lynne had a contagious, bright and adventurous spirit, so much so that, after falling victim to the polio epidemic in the early ‘50s, she fought everyday to graduate from crutches, to leg braces, to canes, and finally the ability to walk on her own while raising her three young children. Though she would never take the reins of a horse again, she never complained, but lived each day with the unspoken grace of one who is happy to be alive. She had a passion for the outdoors and a passion for music. Lynne and George both enjoyed camping, hiking, biking, swimming, boating, and backyard picnics with the family. Even in her final days, Lynne would never pass up an opportunity to "go for a ride". She learned to play the clarinet in school, and for many years let the music of her soul play out on the piano, sharing and passing on a love and appreciation for music to her children. Her passion for music also manifested itself in many trips to the Lyric Opera and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Lynne had a keen sense of justice and a compassionate, caring heart that innately understood how to help those in need. She relocated her aging parents to her home in Illinois, stepping into the role of caregiver to her mother, who suffered for many years from Alzheimer’s disease. After George’s passing, Lynne herself joined the ranks of Alzheimer’s patients, choosing to live each day with as much joy and dignity as her loving family and family of caregivers could provide. Now, she is free and "home" at last in Heaven, safe in her Savior’s keeping. Though Lynne’s last note has been played, her opus continues to resonate deep within the hearts of family and friends, and will never be forgotten.SURVIVORS: She is survived by her three children and their families:Mike (Nina) Allen, Steven Bradley Allen,Lea Lida Lorraine (Alan) Allen-TruemperSix grandchildren:Megan (Ashley) Pimsner, Joshua (Blanca) Sullivan, Natalie Lynne (Jason) Hoyt, Kevin Allen, Ian Shain Bramel-Allen and Justin Alan Truemper;Seven great-grandchildren, Lydia, Alejandra, Aeden, Elise, Gabriel, Carl, Gavin and a family of friends.;PRECEDED:She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband George. VISITATION / FUNERAL A visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a memorial service to follow visitation at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 85 S. Constitution Dr., Aurora, IL. Pastor John Fritz will officiate the service. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in her name. Checks may be made to "Alzheimer’s Disease Research" and mailed to 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, Maryland, 20871. The family would like to thank the many people who became special in the eyes of both Lynne and her family. To Sheila White, Raul "Paul" Nocete, a dedicated caregiver who provided Lynne with creative and joyful ways to make her smile through the haze of Alzeheimers and most recently, Roland, another caregiver who was instrumental in Lynne’s care. In addition, the family would like to thank the "angels" who visited the Neighbors Next Door including Julie, Jo, Diane, Connie, Kathy, Wes and Martha, a special friend. Pat Mason began as Lynne’s massage therapist but became a close friend and confidant and last but not least, to Pastor John Fritz for all the support and spiritual care he provided for Lynne even into her last days.

A visitation will be on Sat April 2, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a memorial service to follow visitation at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 85 S. Constitution Dr., Aurora, IL. Pastor John Fritz will officiate the service.

Private family commital was at a previous date.