Elizabeth ‘Bessie’ Allen

Mrs. Allen died Thursday, March 18, 2004, at her home.

She was born Sept. 8, 1907, in Elk City, the daughter of Edwin B. and Armina I. Megonigle Haines. She attended school in Montgomery County until she moved with her family to Maple Hill, where she attended elementary and high school. She lived in Richland for many years before moving to Berryton in 1956 and Lawrence in 1961. She lived in Brandon Woods Retirement Community from 2000 until she moved to Brentwood in June 2002.

Mrs. Allen was a switchboard operator for the Wakarusa Central Office. She later worked at Neese grocery store in Richland, the Hollywood-Maxwell factory in Topeka and the Kansas Department of Revenue in Topeka.

She married Walter D. Allen on Feb. 21, 1928. He died Oct. 14, 1988.

Survivors include two daughters, Betty I. Phillips, Brentwood, and Judith E. Prestridge, Hot Springs Village, Ark.; a son, Wayne D. Allen, San Jose, Calif.; a sister, Glenola Hamaker, Osage City; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral chapel.

The family suggests memorials to Sutter Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home, 2843 S.E. Minnesota Ave., Topeka 66605.

Online condolences may be sent at www.penwellgabel.com.