John James Allen, age 93, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2026, in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

John was born in Norwood, Massachusetts on June 23, 1932.  At Walpole High School, John was Class President, lettered in Football, Basketball and Golf, participated in numerous committees including Student Council and was voted Best Dancer, Best Personality, and Most Popular.  His high school golf coach mentored John and this inspired John to undertake a lifelong pursuit of golf.  In his senior year, his golf team won the Massachusetts state competition.  He played both football and golf while majoring in philosophy at Haverford College, graduating in 1955.

After college, John worked in sales and moved to Davenport, Iowa.  While there, he stopped at the Duck Creek Golf Course and observed a young lady hitting golf balls on the driving range.  He asked the course professional to introduce him to this young lady whose name was Mardel Herzberg.  They later shared a round of golf and a movie.  Many years later, John told a reporter “She shot a 38 and I shot a 34 and we started looking for a ring.”  John and Mardel married in Davenport on June 29, 1957.  After their two daughters Nancy and Janet were born, they moved to Grinnell, Iowa where their son Paul was born.  John continued playing golf at Grinnell Country Club and competing in both individual and couples’ tournaments with Mardel throughout the state of Iowa.

In 1972, Murphy Oil transferred John and his family to La Crosse, Wisconsin. He joined La Crosse Country Club and continued to play golf, competing in many tournaments and winning a WSGA Governor’s Cup Championship. In the off- season, when he was not on the slopes at Mount La Crosse, “Duke” (as he was called by friends and grandchildren) used his sales talent to purchase various pre-loved “winter-beater” cars for his children’s (and their friends’) enjoyment.

After retiring, John and Mardel moved to Sun City, Arizona where they joined Palmbrook Golf Club. Once again, John competed in both individual as well as couples’ tournaments with Mardel. They enjoyed many parties at Palmbrook where John was unfailingly gracious in coaxing any unescorted ladies out to the dance floor for a spin!

Throughout his life, John developed many treasured friendships that endured for years, both on and off the golf course. He had a delightful sense of humor. No matter what difficulties life presented to him, John found the positive aspect and managed to lift the spirits of all of those around him.  John cared for Mardel for several years in their Sun City home after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, but eventually they returned to La Crosse for professional care and to be nearer to their family.

John is survived by daughters Nancy Allen and Janet (David) Galassi, son Paul (Colleen) Allen, as well as granddaughters Elizabeth, Savannah, and Natalie Allen, grandson Jackson Allen, and great-granddaughter Juliet Mueller.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mardel (Herzberg) Allen, father and mother Walter Sr. and Mary (Regan) Allen, brothers Walter Jr., William, and George Allen, sister Lillian Patterson, and grandson David Allen.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, February 28 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at First Congregational Church, 2503 Main Street in La Crosse.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gundersen Medical Foundation (Emplify) Hospice Fund.

John’s family is especially grateful to both Gundersen Hospice and the loving staff at The Hearten House II for their tender and compassionate care.