Obituary
John James Allen
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.
Janet(Davd), I am so sorry for your loss. He sounded like an outstanding man and dad. He will be with you always. Again, sorry for your loss. As David (my husband) said when my dad passed, “Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened.” Dr. Suess
I KNOW JOHN ALLEN HE WAS FRIEND AT THE WILLOW WHERE I LIVE FOR 8 YEARS NOW I LIVE AT HAVENWOOD IN ONALASKA THANK YOU HEATHER PITZ
“Not fah, but down the haaat,” are the words that ring in my ears when I reminisce about John Allen. For 20 years playing golf with him at the La Crosse CC, he was the straightest, most consistent player in the club.
John and I paired in a few WSGA events, and reluctantly admit to being victim to his lone Colman Cup win in the LCC club championship.
Now that John has joined Mardel in heaven, I can picture them both winning (celestial) couples championships through eternity. God speed, ol’ buddy.
A lot of golf, shared Thanksgiving meals and the friendship of Mardel and John have been positive memories of our own retirement here in Sun City, Az. Our condolences to the family.
John and Mardel were two of the best people we have ever met in our golfing life. They set the gold standard of how to treat other people with love and respect. May they rest in peace after lives that were well lived.
John and my mother, Helen (Woods) Buote, were first cousins. Unfortunately, as the older generation died and the cousins moved away it was hard to keep in touch. The strange thing is that just today my brother and I were talking about John and George and Lil and Pam and Bobby, so I looked up John and was sad to find his obituary. I haven’t seen John since we were young at his home in Walpole, MA. Family parties there were wonderful because they lived above the American Legion hall and we had full run of the building and grounds. John was very handsome and looked like the actor Tab Hunter. He was also very smart and sweet and kind, and everyone loved him. I’m so sorry that we lost touch, but he will always be part of my fondest memories. My heart goes out to his family because you have lost someone very special. God bless all of you.