Allen Laughery – Obit

Allen Lee Laughery, Allen Laughery56 of Maddock, ND, formerly of Crookston, MN, passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND.

Allen Lee, son of Jesse and MaryJane (Lee) Laughery was born on May 11, 1962 at Crookston, Minnesota. Allen was raised in Crookston and graduated from Crookston High School.

After high school, Allen worked as a piler for the Crystal Sugar Plant in Crookston. He had a love of the land and for 26 years, worked as a farm laborer for Abrams Farms, rural Crookston.  He was at one time married to Carolyn and they were the proud parents of 6 children.

Eventually, Allen moved to North Dakota and in 2008, began working at Summer’s Manufacturing in Maddock. He was a hard worker, but increasing health problems forced him to retire in 2015. While making his home in Maddock, Allen was dating MaryAnn Bingham and they were united in marriage on July 3, 2010.

Allen loved the great outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed gardening and sharing the produce and flowers of his labor. Time spent indoors was as a cook and baker.  He wowed his family and friends with his cooking talent.  He always had time for a game of pinochle and good conversation with friends who stopped by.  Allen had a rather unusual hobby of collecting any useful object found along the side of the road.  He was always rather surprised what treasures he discovered.

He loved the open road and traveling. He was willing to travel anywhere, as long as you could drive there. He wasn’t one to hop a plane or train for a vacation. In these last years, Allen never complained or wanted anyone concerned about his health, he was all about caring for others, helping them through their illnesses and troubles.  Allen’s kids and family meant the world to him. He loved them all with his whole heart and wanted only the best for them.

Allen’s loving family include his father Jesse Laughery, Crookston; wife Mary Ann Laughery; children Crystal Laughery, Margaret (Barry) Atepeter, Ariel (Michaelangelo) Polendo, April (Brent) Von Rueden and Emma Laughery all of Crookston, MN, Ivan Laughery of Maddock, Jeffrey Prosje of Crookston and Delores (Alex Fish) Williams, Devils Lake; grandchildren Aspen, John, Jack, Isabelle, Mandy, Ally, Maggie and Sequoia; brothers and sisters Jackie (Gary) Abrams, James (Maureen) Laughery, Richard (Hope) Laughery, Janet Laughery all of Crookston and Shawn (Nancy) Laughery of Reynolds, ND; Beth Hill who has been a close friend to Ivan and the family; many nieces and nephews and dear in-laws.  He loved them all.

Allen was preceded in death by his mother, MaryJane; son Charlie Andrew; brother Lawrence and sister Alice.

Casket Bearers for Allen will be his nephews and cousins; Richard Laughery, Adam Laughery, Matthew Klebe, Michael Janzen, Andrew Dozer, James Lee, Jake Abrams and Josh Laughery. Reading Scriptures will be Robbie Kraft and Jerry Bingham; Gift Bearers will be Delores Williams and Margaret Altepeter.

Mass of Christian Burial for Allen will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Williams Catholic Church, Maddock, ND with Reverend Brian Bachmeier celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. James Catholic Cemetery in Minnewaukan in the spring.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 1, 2019 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils LaKe from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass.