Jerrene C. Allen

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(Sept. 5, 1918 - June 24, 2017)

Jerrene “Jerry” Allen, 98, died peacefully of congestive heart failure at Spirit Mountain Hospice House in Cody on June 24, 2017; her son Sam was by her side.

She was born Sept. 5, 1918, to Lou and Sam Cross in Bayard, Nebraska. Her life was filled with music as her mother taught piano lessons and Jerry excelled in vocal music. Upon graduation from Bayard High School, Jerry attended the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. 

She performed choral and solo work and later met her first husband, Tom Roberts. She was divorced several years later following the birth of a daughter, Beverly.

Jerry moved to Cody in the 1950s, where she was an administrative secretary for C. E. “Bud” Webster at Webster Chevrolet Co. Bud introduced Jerry to one of Cody’s most eligible bachelors, R. Sam Allen, cashier and eventually becoming president of the Shoshone First National Bank. 

Sam and Jerry were married on Dec. 1, 1951. She began singing in the choir and started directing in 1953 when she was pregnant with their son, Sam. She served faithfully as choir director for over 30 years.

Jerry was involved in early community musicals, the Cody Music Club and Cody Community Concerts. She served as an elder in her church and was involved in countless volunteer efforts.

Following the death of her husband Sam in 1994, Jerry many years later struck up a friendship with Ed Husemann of Cody. Though they never married, they became constant companions and enjoyed a wonderful shared life.

Her smile and charm lit up a room and she will be deeply missed.

Jerry is survived by daughter Beverly Roberts of SeaTec, Washington; granddaughter Kaimi Sinclair and great-granddaughter Raven Two Feathers; son Sam R. Allen (Mindy) of Arvada, Colorado; grandson Eric (Janeen); and two great-grandsons Cooper and Cody of Littleton, Colorado, and grandson Andrew and his fiancé Natalie of Blaine, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held at the Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 22. Donations in her memory may be made to the Presbyterian Deacon’s Fund, First Presbyterian Church of Cody, 2025 23rd St. in Cody, WY 82414.

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