Maxine Mae Allen

Maxine Mae (Hanson) Allen, 95, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2024, at Eventide Fargo. Maxine, the ninth of ten children, was born on March 9, 1928, at home in Comstock, MN to Ole and Clara (Tangvold) Hanson.

As a first generation new American, she spoke Norwegian until she was about six years old but always embraced her Norwegian heritage. Maxine grew up in a family that had little; her modest background contributed to her humility, strength of character, work ethic, sense of humor and compassion for others. She attended school in Comstock and later graduated from Moorhead Campus School. In her teenage years, “Max” to many who knew her, worked for area farmers picking potatoes and doing various farm work. Max had a creative gift and later worked at JC Penney’s in Fargo where her job included decorating window displays and writing newspaper advertisements. She met the love of her life, Francis (Frannie) Allen, on a blind date and after a long courtship, married on September 7, 1948.

Max and Frannie lived and farmed south of Moorhead for many years. They raised five children; Candace Allen, Cindy (Jeff Nyquist) Kloeckner, Sheila (Bruce) Klosterman, Guy Allen, and Paula (Dean) Jacobsen. Maxine loved her family, home, and community. She and Frannie participated in many local social organizations, including the Sabin PTA Show and community events as well as Halloween parties, where she used her sewing talents to fashion elaborate costumes. She enjoyed artistic endeavors and crafts of all kinds, including needlework, creating beautiful ceramic pieces and, in her later years, teaching herself to oil paint. She also loved music, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren. Maxine treasured time at the lake with her family on Upper Cormorant, camping with Frannie in their motor home at Lee Lake campground and in Texas in the wintertime. She was a great blessing to anyone who came into her life. Her kindness was a deeply ingrained behavioral trait and her eternal gift is how she modeled that for her family and loved ones. She will be missed but not forgotten.  

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the outstanding staff at both Touchmark and Eventide Fargo for the excellent care Maxine received during her stay there.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, nine siblings, and husband of nearly 67 years, Frannie. She is survived by her five children; eleven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Laura Dickhaus.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 11, at 2:00 pm in Trinity Lutheran Church Christian Life Center in Moorhead, MN. (Due to construction, please enter through the 3rd Ave South door). Visitation will be one hour before the service with refreshments following. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead.