Toby (Everett) Wayne Allen passed away suddenly on January 14th, 2015, at age 74.
“Everett” began his life journey on July 1st, 1940 in the small town of Grafton, North Dakota. He was the oldest of 7 children born to Inez and Charles (Bill) Allen. Shortly after, they moved to Deering, North Dakota. He grew up on the family farm mischievous and always seeking adventure, especially with his first brother Larry. He loved to tell stories growing up with North Dakota winters, farm chores, and few “amenities,” like transportation. Often the only way they could get to school in all the snow was by a covered, horse-drawn sled that his Dad would take picking up area kids on the way.
How Everett later became known as “Toby” remained a mystery even to him, in spite of some speculation that his Aunt Nadeen played a small part in the nickname. Whatever the case, the nickname stuck.
Toby’s motivation, talent and successes started early in life. He went to Deering Elementary School where his report cards always proved he was a smart kid. For a few years, he took on selling greeting cards to make some extra cash. His cuteness may have helped, but he prided himself on being a pretty good salesman, which allowed him to buy his first car at age eleven!
His love for cars and driving continued, generally resulting in very high speeds. He had every make and model he could get his hands on throughout his life. He did slow it down a bit when he began driving heavy equipment on the farm. He loved it, which would later lead him down his career path.
Toby went on to attend Deering High School graduating in 1959. He served as class Vice President, was an incredibly talented athlete, and known as a “swell guy.” Look out Marty McFly! He played (the speedy) point-guard for the boys basketball team and couldn’t help but brag about their small-town team who could take on the big schools and win. He also loved baseball. He was quite the pitcher, could field any play, and home runs were “easy.”
One day, Toby also tried bowling. And what a bowler he became! Early on he helped at bowling alleys as a pin-setter and later got paid $.10 a game for keeping score. He bowled in many national and local tournaments and leagues in Minot and Miles City. He always looked forward to the next opportunity to strike for cash and truly appreciated all the friendships he made over the years. He was still bowling 250s at age 74.
Although small in size, Toby had a huge heart, unending determination, and great strength not only in mind, but body and spirit. He was a role model to many. He’d give you the shirt off his back, and then maybe challenge you to an arm-wrestling match. Good practice for later winning a division arm-wrestling championship. Some would even swear he had 9 lives. Over the years, he’d survived being accidentally shot, narrowly escaping an arrow through the head, nearly drowning, and almost falling off an elevator, just to share a few.
Toby never shied from hard work. After high school, he went right to work in Montana beginning his career as a road construction heavy-equipment operator. Over the years he worked for Richardson Construction, Portable Pavers, and Prince, Inc. He was a true master of his craft and proud of his part in “building almost every road in Montana.” Oh, and don’t forget some in North Dakota and Wyoming.
But it was a job near Terry, MT in the summer of 1966 that brought Toby into Young’s Bar and Cafe where he laid eyes on Ethel Schmidt for the first time. Apparently smitten, he went in every day until she agreed to go out with him. They were married the next year on Dec. 16th, 1967 and went on to spend 46 wonderful years together. In 1968 they moved from Minot, ND to Miles City, MT. They traveled together in the summers for Toby’s job until the birth of their daughter, DeAnn, in 1981. They continued traveling all over as a family to share that experience with DeAnn until she began elementary school. Toby then enjoyed winters off spending time with family and friends and teaching “the daughter” everything he knows.
Toby was a member of the Eagles Club for a number of years. He was also an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved playing cards, “fixing” stuff, garage sales, agate hunting, target practice, watching old western movies, the history channel, and listening to records, Elvis, and “Willy’s Roadhouse.”
Toby’s smile, laugh, humility, compassion and humor will be dearly missed. Toby would never pass up the chance to first offer you a drink (no matter your legal age) and then tell you a great joke (often provided by his youngest sister, Marcell). He will continue to impact the lives of those he touched and those that will come to know him in memory and spirit. So “cheers” in celebration of Toby as we take this opportunity to share his latest joke: “There are 3 flies in the kitchen, which one is the cowboy?”…(chuckling and smiling)…”The one on the range!”
Toby is survived by his daughter DeAnn of Boise, ID; sisters Joann Jensen of Colorado Springs, CO, Linda Froseth of Bottineau, ND, Marcell (Mark) Johnson of Minot, ND; brothers Larry Allen of Beloit, WI, Kenny (Ivy) Allen of Minot, ND, Willy Allen of Minot, ND; and many treasured nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Ethel, his parents Inez and Bill, his brother-in-law Greg Froseth, and his nephew Donn Jensen.
A Celebration with family and friends will be held at Stevenson and Son’s Funeral Home in Miles City on Monday, January 19th from 7-9 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at First Lutheran Church in Miles City on Tuesday, January 20th at 1 PM with a reception following at Recreation Lanes. To share memories and condolences with the family, please visit Toby’s memorial webpage at www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Monday January 19, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 20, 2015
Firsth Lutheran Church
512 South Cale Ave.
Miles City, MT 59301
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chrissy miller says
Deann
Your dad was an amazing person always so nice to everyone and had amazing daughter that always looked out for him my prayers go out to you we are always thinking of you.
The Miller’s
Dannette Cremer says
Deann, So sorry for your loss. I will miss visiting with your dad. My prayers go out to you during this difficult time.
Michelle Simpson says
Deann, I always enjoyed visiting with your dad, he was so very proud of you. Jim and I have many great memories bowling with your folks at the Red Rock.
Our thoughts and prayer to you.
Steven Dey says
I loved bowling aganst Toby. He was always a good opponent for me. Thoughts and prayers are out for your family. He will be missed.
Lenny LaCounte says
All though have I never met you I really enjoyed working with your dad at Prince inc I am sure he will be missed by all of his coworkers. He always spoke about how proud he was of his daughter.
My prayers are with you
Denise and Jay Harvey says
What a wonderful photo!! You are truly a living legacy of beloved parents and they will live on in their beautiful daughter!
Gary Ostermiller says
Deann, so very sorry to hear of your dads passing. He was one of the first people I’d met when I moved to Miles in 1980, & I will always remember him as being a great guy from the start. He will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bev & Gary
Virginia & Duane Strohmayer says
Deann: So sorry to read of Tobys passing. I saw him at WalMart last fall and he was so proud of his new pickup. I had to go out with him to see it. He will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Duane & Virginia
Donna Gall says
Deann, Sorry to hear of Toby’s passing. Hard to lose both parents at such a young age. My prayers go out for you.
Ervin & Janice Laib says
Deann and family My prayer’s go out for all of you. I will miss my neighbor and friend and our many visits. He was fun to bowl helped us win the gmes he will be missed. He spoke of you always had a smile on his face and was very proud of you. God Bless all of you
Ervin & Janice
Arlyn Hatley says
Hello, my name is Arlyn Hatley. I was a class mate of Toby. I remember his love for cars. In fact we both had a passion for them. I remember a yellow one he had, a 1949, or 1951 ford.
Toby loved that car. Sorry for your loss and may God Welcome Toby home.
Arlyn Hatley…Bismarck, North Dakota
Di Johnson says
DeAnn, i am so sad to hear of your dad’s passing. He loved and cherished you more than life itself and his love for you was apparent in his every breath. It always warmed my heart to see him and meet up with you guys at the local casino. He always had time to just “sit and visit” and was forever concerned with how things were going for me and my family! My memories of Toby are that of a ” soft spoken man with a huge heart!”. God Bless all of you!
Marlys and Larry Hauser says
I think of the Allen family living in the big house on a corner outside Deering ND where we used to go and butcher chicken, which I remember as so very gross. Pierson and Alllen cousins shared lot of fun together as we grew up . We spent a lot of time after they moved to the town of Deering as well I know as siblings all of you will miss Toby very much. He was a quiet man with a big heart. DeAnn, you and you mother were the love of his life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you grieve the loss of your dear father and brother. Treasure your memories. Hugs to all of you.
Barb Shields says
I enjoy bowling with Toby he was always upbeat and fun to be around. We just bowled against him last Tuesday. My prayers go out to the family.
Jolynn Herman says
Deann, so sorry for your loss. You are an awesome daughter ,you were such a great help to your dad. I’ll remember him best from the bowling days, supper nice and always a positive person. God Bless
Etta and Dave Humbert says
DeAnn it was such a shock to here of Toby’s passing. We enjoyed the last three summers with our trailer parked at his place. Dave enjoyed every day at work with Toby. And our weekends were always full with his jokes and story’s of his younger years. He always had a treat for our little dog Squirt after being gone all week she would wait for him on Fridays. Toby will be missed by so many. Take care. Etta and Dave.
Joyce Wiltse Peterson says
Toby’s family. How well I remember your family and the school bus we use to have to ride to get to school. I don’t remember if I ever was on the route your Dad drove but I most certainly remember the one that your Grandfather, Harvey and once in a while Orville drove. Sorry for the loss of your brother and what a wonderful history/story of Toby. God Bless his memory.
Larry and Shirley Flack says
DeAnn, so sorry to hear of yours Dad’s passing, We have so many memories of your folks. So many good times with them. They will be dearly missed. We bowled so many years with them and worked construction many years, fished with your dad, hunted with him. Lots of memories and of course had a lot of good parties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless you!
Dave Olson says
I am so saddened about the passing of Toby. He and I grew up together in Deering ND where we played basketball and baseball together. He was one of my best friends. We had many experiences during this period of time. Although I hadn’t seen Toby for a number of years, the memories of him never diminished. My deepest condolences to Toby’s family.
Janet Graves (Sylvia s sister) says
Dear DeAnna, I’m so sorry about your Dad’s passing, what a beautiful tribute to him, may thise treasured memories help you. Though I never had the pleasure of meeting him I can tell what a special person he was. Prayers to you.