Allen Ticknor

Allen Thomas Ticknor, 97, of Anita, Iowa, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2014, at Caring Acres Nursing & Rehab in Anita.

Allen was born September 19, 1916, in Adair County, Iowa, the son of Charles Edgar and Grace Laura (Fitzgerald) Ticknor. He grew up on a farm south of Casey, Iowa. Allen graduated from Casey High School in 1933. His family moved to Panora, Iowa, in 1936. He worked for farmers and for a sugar company in California in the fall of 1937 for 3 or 4 months.

On May 28, 1938, he married Lucile Marie Whetstone in Maryville, Missouri. They lived the first three years of their marriage in Casey, Iowa. In the spring of 1942, they moved to the farm north of Anita where they raised 2 children of their own and several foster children. In June of 2007, they moved to their home in Anita. They also enjoyed spending the winters together in Arizona for over 30 years.

Allen was always very active in his community. He was past president of the County Farm Bureau, township school board, past board member of the Federal Land Bank, Anita Farmers Coop, Audubon County Fair and the Election Board. He was a 50+ year Mason member and a member of the Anita United Methodist Church for 70 years. Allen was a Township 4-H leader and County 4-H leader and he was a longtime blood donor. One of Allen's greatest accomplishments is that he took a neglected and over-used farm and converted it to a conservation farm and very productive land. Allen loved family, children, horses, ice cream, playing cards, parades, visiting and telling stories.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lucile Ticknor, his son, Keith Ticknor; his brothers and sisters, Velma Carstens, Vivian Avey, Veryl Ticknor, Glen Ticknor and Wayne Ticknor.

Allen is survived by his daughter, Peggy (Larry) McLaughlin; his daughter-in-law, Sharon Ticknor; his foster children, James Stanley, Donald Stanley, Bonnie (Steve) Petersen, Hans (Keiko) DeRocher and Harold DeRocher, his grandchildren, Mark (Jennifer) McLaughlin, Brad (Buffy) McLaughlin, Diane (Dan) Sweetwood, Kirk (Cindy) Ticknor, Lisa (Tim) Loseke, Kristin (Darrin) Schmidt; his brother, Ernest Ticknor; his sister, Lois Arnold; and numerous great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, 2014, at the Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 3, 2014, at the United Methodist Church in Anita, Iowa.

Burial will be in the Dalmanutha Cemetery in Casey, Iowa.


Memorials may be made to the Anita United Methodist Church, Anita Library or the American Cancer Society.