Obituaries: Donald Gustav “Gus” Allen (Apr. 13, 1939 – Jan. 30, 2010)

It is with great sadness that the family of Donald Gustav “Gus” Allen announce that he passed away peacefully at his home on Lower Lake Road in Crescent City on January 30, 2010, after a long and interesting life.

Gus, as he was known throughout his life, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 13, 1939 to Robert S. Allen and Dorothy Lucille Kreatz.

Gus spent his childhood in Wayzata, Minnesota.  He attended school in Wayzata and was a member of Wayzata Class of 1958. 

His first car was a green 1947 Ford Coupe.  While growing up he and his brother, Stan worked on the Kreatz family farm.  Gus later worked for a number of years at Excelsior Boat Works servicing boats all around Lake Minnetonka.

Gus moved to California in 1954, to join his mother and step-father, Howard Lind, and has lived in Crescent City since that time.  After arriving in Crescent City, Gus and his friends raced cars.  Gus raced car #88 at local racetracks including the fairgrounds and the black-top track at the then new drive-in movie theatre on Elk Valley Cross Road.

Gus began his long career of sawmill work and truck driving at Del Norte Box.  His first truck was a 1956 LT Mac.  He drove it until he bought his first Freightliner in 1964 and began hauling redwood lathe and lumber.  He hauled for companies long known to the area such as Standard Veneer, McNamara and Peep, Simonson’s Lumber Co, B&R Sawmills (later known as Northcrest Inc), Southcoast Lumber Co., Snoozie Shavings and Simpson Timber Co.

In the late 60’s Gus established DG Allen Trucking later known as Gus Allen Trucking and, at one point, he ran ten of the well known green and gold Freightliners up and down the west coast. 

Last year friends and family joined Gus in celebrating his 50th year in the trucking business, one of the oldest trucking companies in Del Norte County.

Gus has been an active supporter of the Del Norte County Fair Auction for over 20 years.

While still maintaining an active work schedule, Gus enjoyed spending time on his ranch  raising cows, horses, chickens, and of course his pet goats.  Gus was known for his storytelling and quick wit and will be dearly missed.

Gus was preceded in death by his mother and father and his very special significant other, Joanie Gardenhire. He leaves behind his brother Stanley Allen (wife Karen) from New Brighton, Minnesota, a sister Suzanne Lind-Krumvieda (husband John) of Sisters, Oregon.

Gus will also be remembered by a large extended family including his first wife Joyce Durkin and their children Debbie Smith (husband Sheldon) of Cul-ver, Oregon and Dale Allen (wife Carla) of Crescent City.  His second wife, Jeanne Gren-fell and their children Bobby Allen (wife Debbie); Gussie Allen (Telina); Bob Heady; Chris Linton (husband Larry); Vernon Burden, all of Crescent City and Katy Schulte (husband Mike) of Lexington, Nebraska.

He will also be fondly remembered by Donald Lowery (wife Shawna) and C.J. Gardenhire (wife Barbara) all of Crescent City.  He wanted to mention his appreciation to Gail Moore, a friend and neighbor for over 40 years.  His family and all the special friendships he made throughout the 70 years of his life meant the world to Gus.

He leaves behind 23 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren and 6 nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Gus’ life will be held at his home on 6425 Lower Lake Road on Saturday, February 6th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Gus Allen to the Lake Earl Grange C/O 1685 Arlington Dr., Crescent City, CA 95531.