Carolyn Joan Allen (Rosenow), 90

Carolyn Joan Allen (Rosenow), 90, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully in Spokane, Wash., surrounded by family members Aug. 15, 2024. Carolyn was born May 24, 1934, in Tacoma, Wash., the sixth child (of 12) of the late David and Hilda (Reichert) Rosenow.  

In 1943, the Rosenow family moved to Wapato, Wash., where they operated a dairy and vegetable farm. Carolyn graduated from Wapato High School, Class of 1952. She moved to Yakima, Wash., to work as a telephone operator. While working in that capacity, she often spoke over the phone to a young U.S. Army private named Ken, who was stationed at the Yakima Firing Center. As a result, she was eventually fired from that position but wound up married to the private. On Sept. 3, 1955, she married Kenneth Allen in Wapato.  

In 1969, Carolyn, Ken and their five children moved from Spokane, Wash., to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Carolyn worked as a cook at Bryan Elementary School and Lakes Jr. High School before retiring in 1986. Carolyn enjoyed reading, traveling, camping, baking cookies and pies, taking her dog Mitts on walks in the park and, most of all, spending time with family and friends. She will be remembered for her strong work ethic, generous nature and compassion for others.

In addition to her parents, Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband, Ken, son Anthony (Andy) Andrew Allen, brothers Richard, Morris, Ron, Steve and Gary Rosenow, and sisters Rouine Sirstin, Marian (Sis) Corbin and Eleanor Bossuot, and long-time companion TJ Cornelson.  

Survivors include her sister, Geri Varney, brothers Allan and Mike Rosenow, sister/brothers-in-law Bob and Diane Allen and Bud and Lolly Davis, four children, son Ted (Vicki) Allen of Arlington, Wash., daughters Joanne (Jim) Socci and Dianne (Todd) Dewitt of Spokane, Wash., and son Ken (Mandy) Allen Jr. of Salinas, Calif., 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and her dearest friends Myrna Blaylock, Anna Guarisco and Lynn Markeson.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at Hennessey Valley Funeral Home, 1315 N. Pines Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. A reception at 1117 E. 33rd Ave., Spokane, WA 99203, will follow the service. To share memories of Carolyn and leave condolences for the family, visit www.hennesseyvalley.com.