Allen Shreve

Allen Roger Shreve, Mandan, ND age 72, passed away June 27, 2023, at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck, ND, after a year-long struggle with cancer. Allen’s wife, children, granddaughter, family, and friends surrounded him during his final days.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mandan with Msgr. Patrick Schumacher celebrating with Fr. Josh Waltz concelebrating. Burial of cremains will follow at Mandan Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 30 from 5-7 PM at Weigel Funeral Home with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 7 PM at Weigel Funeral Home in Mandan.

Allen was born January 18, 1951, in Miles City, MT, and adopted by Curtis and Kathleen (Betty) Shreve of Baker, MT. As a young child, Allen lived in Belle Fourche, SD, before moving to Dickinson, ND, where he graduated from Dickinson High School in 1969. Allen attended Dickinson State College and earned his elementary education degree from Mary College in 1974.

Allen was a lifelong educator and coach. His teaching career began at St. Mary’s Elementary in Bismarck and Mary Stark Elementary in Mandan before arriving to teach 5th grade at Lewis and Clark Elementary in Mandan. Allen taught for 43 years, with 35 years at Lewis and Clark. Throughout his career, he also coached basketball, cross country, track and field, and volleyball. While he was an award-winning teacher and coach, Allen’s positive impact on his thousands of students and athletes was his greatest reward and professional accomplishment.  His awards include the Crystal Apple Award, the Golden Apple Award, the ND High School Coaches Association Jr. High Coach of the Year, and the ND High School Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year. He particularly enjoyed teaching the children of his former students.

Allen met the love of his life, Karen Kautzman, at a Dickinson State fraternity party in 1972. Their first date was playing pool at the Dickinson State Student Union, and they were married on August 23, 1974, at St. Vincent Church in Crown Butte, ND. The couple has three children, Brian, Amy, and Aaron, and one granddaughter, Norah. His children and grandchild were his pride and joy. Any conversation with Allen would include an update on his children and a picture of his grandchild.

Allen loved and provided for his family, working additional summer jobs, including basement foundation installation, roofing, insurance adjusting, and umpiring softball. He designed and built the home where he and Karen raised their family.

Allen was known for his kindness and care for others in the community. He loved to fish the Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea with his late friend John Emil and Lake of the Woods with his friend Doug Schindler. Allen looked forward to his weekly breakfast with other retired Mandan teachers and coaches at Dakota Farms in Mandan. He was active in the Dakotah Mandan Lions Club and was a lay Eucharistic minister at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mandan.

Allen is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Karen; his children Brian (Laura) of Minneapolis, MN, Amy Nelson (Kurt) of Santa Cruz, CA, and Aaron (Alexis Eastwood) of Lynchburg, VA, and Davis, CA; granddaughter Norah Nelson (4) of Santa Cruz, CA; brother Larry (Bernice) of Bismarck, ND; sister Deborah of Newport News, VA; his in-laws Ralph and Irene Kautzman of Oliver County, ND; sister-in-laws Heidi Lannen (Tom) of Wheaton, IL; Tami Marciano (Armand) of Scottsdale, AZ; Mary Anne Bell of Niwot, CO; brother-in-law Mark Goedken of Cedar Rapids, IA; nephew Matthew Lannen of Chicago, IL; nephew Damien Kleppe of Sacramento, CA; niece Michelle Ihli of Killdeer, ND; several cousins; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Kathleen Shreve; sister-in-law Holli Kautzman; and nephew Andrew Lannen.

The family would like to thank Sanford Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, Dr. Peter Kurniali, Dr. Dale Klein, the Sanford oncology staff and nurses, and the 4th floor staff at Sanford.

ORDER a copy of the funeral service here:  https://orders.memoryshare.com/service/allen-shreve-8078050