Obituary: Allen Storkson

Allen Storkson

Allen Orville Storkson, 77, of Jamestown, N.D., was called home by his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by family.

Allen was born April 23, 1946, at New Rockford, N.D., to Arthur and Florence (Nelson) Storkson. He grew up in the Binford, N.D., area, graduating from Binford High School in 1964. He went on to graduate from Molar Barber College in 1965.

He married Cheryl Laber on June 1, 1968, in New Rockford. They made their home in Westhope, N.D., where he was a barber and then worked in the oil field.

Allen met the love of his life, Shirley Nowell, in 1980 and they were married February 12, 1983, in Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington, N.D. They made their home in Carrington where Allen was head of maintenance for the Carrington Elementary School as well as co-owner with Shirley of the Sooper Stop and the Little Store.

They later moved to New Rockford and owned the Stop & Shop Convenience Store there. After retiring, they moved to Jamestown and wintered in Donna, Texas, for several years.

At the time of their marriage, Allen had six children and Shirley had six children. Allen found much joy in his children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren. Blending of the two families was not easy, yet Allen made a point of always introducing all the children from both sides as "our daughter," or "our son," and "our" grandchildren and great-grands. Allen eagerly showed off pictures of his family and celebrated their accomplishments any chance he could. He loved attending his grandchildren's sports events, graduations, weddings, and other important events whenever possible. Allen loved being a grandpa and great grandpa, and his grandchildren and great grands from both sides loved him.

Allen was not a guy that could stay still for very long, so he had many activities he enjoyed. He loved to go hunting, especially deer hunting, and fishing and would often take a family member or friend out on the boat for a day of fishing and fun. Allen and Shirley owned a camper for most of their 40 years together and thoroughly enjoyed meeting friends at a camping area for a weekend of visiting and joking around the campfire.

He was an avid reader and read many good westerns. Allen also loved to play cards and was always game for a good round of pinochle. He was very competitive so if you took the bid as his partner, you better have cards to support it because Allen would often withhold a card or two with the reasoning that you shouldn't be bidding if you don't have those cards!

Conversations were always interesting when visiting with Allen as his friends and family will attest that he always had a quick wit and a great story or joke to tell. Allen was pretty tech savvy and kept in touch with family and friends regularly through social media. His pictures, inspiring quotes, and life updates will be missed.

While living in Jamestown, Allen and Shirley became members of the Atonement Lutheran Church and Allen served many years as a church board member and volunteer for events. He served God willingly and was determined to learn more about God and grow in faith. He attended a Bible Study group at St. Paul's United Methodist Church for many years and rarely missed those opportunities to grow and share his faith with others.

Allen was a willing volunteer and served on the Ambulance Crew in Westhope for seven years, Scout Master for two years, and as an Assistant Boy Scout Master for three years while living in New Rockford.

In recent years, he dedicated himself to being a senior companion and driving those in need to doctor appointments and such. He also went through all the training to become a part of the Hospice Care team in Jamestown without ever thinking he would need those services himself. He cared deeply for others and demonstrated that as much as he could even during this last year throughout his battle with leukemia.

Missing Allen today and in the future are his loving wife of 40 years, Shirley; children, Robyn (Dan) Jordan, Welch, Okla.; Letticia (Mike) Cragen, Anchorage, Alaska; Wayde Storkson, Jamestown, N.D.; Brook (Brent) Nelson, Minot, N.D.; and Samuel (Nicole) Storkson, Prior Lake, Minn.; stepchildren, Anita (Kevin) Tulp, Valley City, N.D., Cindy (Jay) Bauer, Carrington, N.D., June (Garold) Mauch, Bismarck, N.D., Tom (Susie) Nowell, Rugby, N.D., and Jerry (Shanon) Nowell, St. Peter, Minn.; stepdaughter-in-law, Bonnie Nowell, Cocoa, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 16 step-grandchildren; and 32 step-great-grandchildren; fur babies Roxy, Charlie II, and Kit the cat; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Carrie Pierce; stepson, James Nowell; and one stepgrandchild, Keith Mauch.

Allen's Celebration of Life Service took place at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Haut Funeral Chapel in Jamestown, N.D., with Pastor Steve Berntson officiating. A lunch following the service will be served at Atonement Lutheran Church, Jamestown, N.D.

Arrangements by Haut Funeral Home, Jamestown, N.D.