Allen Joseph Paschen
Allen Joseph Paschen
Allen J. Paschen, age 97, of Baraboo, passed away on July 16, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
Allen was born, son of Dr. Morris and Dorothy (Rodems) Paschen on March 05, 1927 in Milwaukee. After attending High School in West Allis, he answered the call to serve his country and on February 26th, 1945 he enlisted in the Navy. Following his honorable discharge, he attended Marquette University where he earned his bachelor’s degree.
On December 27, 1950, he was united in marriage with Mona Karr in Winnepeg, Manitoba. They enjoyed over 73 years of marriage together. Their hobbies included golfing (many of the top-rated courses in the country) and travelling extensively in the United States, China, and Africa.
Allen, along with his uncle Leo Rodems, and their friend Mitch Melnick, started Northern Engineering in the then new Baraboo Industrial Park on South Boulevard. The transformer company grew with Allen as the eventual President and was sold to Hammond Manufacturing upon Allen’s retirement at age 66.
Allen loved sports and enthusiastically rooted on the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, and Bucks. He was drafted by the St. Louis Brown’s minor league affiliate, as a catcher, but his military service and later studies curtailed his sporting ambition.
Allen was an avid volunteer in the Baraboo community, serving on and chairing many committees. He helped to make the Baraboo University Campus a reality during his 15 years serving as a city alderman. He especially loved giving wagon tours at Circus World and participating in the American Legion Honor guard as a flag bearer for many years.
Allen was a longtime member of Baraboo Masonic Lodge #34, Baraboo Elks Lodge #688, and American Legion Post 26. He was also an active member of Temple Beth El in Madison and rose to the rank of Supreme Master of his beloved Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Mona; his children, Lindi (Dr. Jay) Kuritz of Green Bay, Nancy (Dr. Gary) Smith of Delafield, and Dr. Mark (Judy) Paschen of Baraboo. He further had seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his sister, Bunny, her family, and many beloved relatives and friends.
Allen was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws and many beloved family and friends.
The family would like to thank Dr. Stuart Hannah, Agrace Hospice, and the staff of Oak Park Place in Baraboo for the wonderful care they always gave to Allen.
A memorial service will be held for Allen on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Trappers Turn in Wisconsin Dells. The Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UW Platteville Baraboo Sauk County Campus Friends of the Campus Foundation.
Condolences
Keri Olson and Larry McCoy July 18, 2024
Friends Baraboo , Wisconsin
Dear Friends, We were so very sorry to learn of Allen's passing. What a remarkable, joy-filled, community-spirited person he was! We both greatly appreciated the honor of his friendship. Whether our interactions were of a professional or personal nature, Allen was always a delight, always present to us, always willing to help. We will forever remember him fondly -- his smiling eyes, his jovial laugh, his positive outlook on life. We hold you in our thoughts, our prayers, our hearts. With deepest sympathies, Larry McCoy and Keri Olson
Greg Lang July 18, 2024
Friend Reedsburg , Wisconsin
To all the Paschen family you have my deepest condolences at this time. What a great man. I loved when he would stop and chat with me like we were best friends. He will surely be missed.
Mike Weyh July 18, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
My condolences Al was a wonderful positive man. He had a wonderful family. Years ago I loved bowling with Al. He enjoyed life very much.
Bev Shook July 18, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Dear Mona, Mark and Families My deepest sympathies to you all. Such a life well lived and will be missed by many. It was a true delight when I was active in the Baraboo community a number of years ago to talk with Al and Mona. Whether it was at a Business After 5, Circus World event or other occasions, it was a great pleasure to have a conversation. Thoughts and prayers to keep those good memories close to you always.
Mike Palm July 18, 2024
Friend Baraboo
Bonnie and I send our condolences. Al was a good friend and mentor.
Laura Stanek July 18, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
My sympathies to the entire family. Al was such a wonderful friend, family man and community supporter. He will be greatly missed by many. Peace.
Anna and Jim Hutchison July 19, 2024
Friends of Mark and Judy And Joe Baraboo , Wisconsin
Very sorry for your loss Amazing man
Jeff and Sandy Anderson July 19, 2024
Friend Merrimac , Wisconsin
Dear Mona, Mark, Judy and Family, Jeff and I were sorry to read about Al’s passing. What a wonderful life he lead. He constantly gave back to our community. A community that he proudly called his home and told us when we first came to Baraboo why he was proud to call it home and we would love it too. We will continue to smile as we recall those special moments we had with Al at the golf course, the circus, and at hospital functions. Just as we smile upon our memories, our hope is that you will let the simple pleasures and the special memories you shared with Al warm your heart and comfort your souls. With love and friendship, Jeff and Sandy
Doug and Katy Mering July 19, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Condolences from Doug and Katy Mering. Al helped to welcome me to Baraboo and was always there to mentor me when I worked at NECO. He did so much for the community he loved. We will miss him.
Dennis and Penny Quandt July 19, 2024
Friend Bristol , Florida
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Family in this difficult time.Bless you all.He was a wonderful man and my Mom worked for him a very long time and she helped Mona with the house and babysat while they had business trips. We had a great time with all?Penny Hosig Quandt
Sue Losch Skidmore July 19, 2024
Friend Port Haywood , Virginia
Very sorry to learn of Al’s passing. My deepest condolences to Mona and the rest of the family.
Deb Bauer & Pete Premo July 19, 2024
Friends Baraboo , Wisconsin
Pete and I send our condolences to Mona and the whole family. It was an honor and privilege to know Allen and share good times with him. So sorry for the loss for the whole community. Hugs.
Mary F Krszjzaniek July 19, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
We are sending our sincere condolences and love to you all after the passing of dear Allen. He was a wonderful man that leaves a legacy to be admired. ??
Mike and Janet Segall July 19, 2024
Cousin Greenbay , Wisconsin
So sorry for the loss of your father, we are sending you prayers to you and your family he will be missed
Cassie Peters July 19, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Hugs and prayers for Mona, family, and friends. May you remember the amazing times where Allen always offered you something as you were visiting. A smile, kind word, a hug, or a beverage.
Greg and Patti Wise July 19, 2024
Friends Baraboo , Wisconsin
We will relish our find memories of Al!
Mike & Sharon Prochnow July 19, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Dear Mona, Mark, Judy and family We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Allen. He was a pillar of the community and forever will be remembered. Our prayers are with you and the family.?
Karen DeSanto July 19, 2024
friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
To the entire Paschen family, Very sad to hear this news. Allen and Mona, were some of our first friends in Baraboo when we moved here 30 years ago. Meeting them at Circus World Museum. Over these years, Allen remained a dear friend and supporter of everything I was involved with. He always told me, he would be my agent, so that's what I always referred to him as! ( although he never did get me any work! Another joke we had with eachother). He always had a warm smile, happy faced greeting and something positive to say. A wonderful, kind and generous person. Rest in peace.
Tom Bales July 19, 2024
friend Wayne , Illinois
In 1972 Allen Paschen offered my dad a position at Northern Engineering. Dad had been unemployed for 8 months and finances were getting tough. His offer to work in beautiful Baraboo was an absolute God-send. During the 6 years he was there, dad was the happiest I ever remember him being: he loved working with Allen and bringing on a new "baby" helping to set up an early model computer system. Dad had a heart attack a few years before he died; Allen was the first person at our house to reassure my mother that insurance would cover all medical and dad's salary would be paid for as long as was necessary until he could return to work. Again, when dad passed away in 1978 Allen was there to comfort us. I don't believe I will ever know a finer man than Allen Paschen. We are so grateful for his life and how he positively affected everyone and everything he touched. My sincerest sympathies to all of the Paschen family especially my dear friend Mark.
Anna Ko?-Kamysz July 19, 2024
Friend Kildeer , Illinois
Dear Mrs. Paschen, Mark, Judy and families. My deepest sympathies and prayers for the loss of your beloved husband, father and grandfather. He was an amazing man and left a wonderful legacy for you all to be proud of and to remember . May he rest in peace .
Dennis and Penny Quandt July 19, 2024
Friend Bristol , Florida
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Family in this difficult time.Bless you all.He was a wonderful man and my Mom worked for him a very long time and she helped Mona with the house and babysat while they had business trips. We had a great time with all?Penny Hosig Quandt
Ann Effinger July 19, 2024
Friend Merrimac , Wisconsin
My heart-felt sympathies to each of you (Lindi, Nancy, Mark) and your families. I have great memories of the years I babysat for you "kids" years ago. Your dad always said he and your mother helped "put me through college." He was correct! He was a wonderful man and will be fondly remembered by all.
Susan Topham July 20, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
So sorry to learn this news. Our sympathy to your family. Allen was a treasure to this community. He will be missed.
Judy and Blaine Nowak July 20, 2024
Friend MILTON , Wisconsin
Mark, Judy and Family: We are very sorry to hear of Allen’s passing. He was a pillar in the community and will be missed. We didn’t know Allen well but we know he was loved very much. My father, Bennie Bauer spoke very highly of Allen. Our hope is that they are now seeing each other again in heaven. Thoughts and prayers to all the family. Hugs Mark.
Sharyl Reitz July 20, 2024
friend Baraboo
So sorry Mona for the loss of your husband. My thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. So many beautiful memories.
Steve Argo July 20, 2024
Friend Wisconsin Dells , Wisconsin
My deepest and most heartfelt condolences. What an amazing man Allen was, always full of boundless enthusiasm and energy. A quote by Winston Churchill is especially apt when reflecting on Allen's life: "You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give." Allen Paschen gave us all so much! He was always trying to make the world a better place. What a perfect example of the Greatest Generation!
Dave Statz July 21, 2024
I graduated with Mark and got to intermix with Al over the years Baraboo , Wisconsin
Al was one of the good guys! Any city would be fortunate to have a man like Al.
Deborah L Baxter July 22, 2024
friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
The Paschen Family- dear all- thinking of you! So very hard to lose your dad. what a guy he was~~such a good friend of my dads. the four golfers must be playing a round- Sieb, Bax, John and Al. wishing you Mona and all of you peace.
Stephen Bernstein July 23, 2024
Friend Keego Harbor , Michigan
My deepest condolences. Allen and I were presented the Order of the Lion award by Alpha Epsilon Pi together in New York in 2013. A wonderful person. RIP. Steve Bernstein AEII Supreme Master 1995-1996
Badger Honor Flight July 23, 2024
friend Oregon , Wisconsin
On behalf of the Badger Honor Flight Board and all our volunteers, we extend our deepest condolences to you all, the family of Allen Paschen. We are forever grateful and thankful for Allen's service to our great country. What an honor it was for us to take him on his well-deserved trip of a lifetime. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Bob and Gayla Holzem July 25, 2024
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Our deepest sympathies to the Paschen family. I’ll miss his quick wit, his memories of Milwaukee and our weekly coffee conversations. He will be missed. A man who left his enduring mark on the community.