Dr. Donald E. Allen

Don passed away peacefully with family by his side on July 17, 2017 in Stonewall, MB. He was predeceased by his dear wife Betty, parents Ella and Ed Allen, and his sister Phyllis Curtis. He is survived by his son Jamie (Karen) Allen, daughter Judy (Roger) Stearns and granddaughters Natalie, Hailey and Vanessa Allen.

Don was born in Winnipeg on April 8th, 1928. He spoke fondly of growing up in the West End and was proud that his grandparents built the very first house on Dominion St. Sports played a large part in his youth and he was a gifted athlete at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate. Baseball was his true passion and he played shortstop in the first ever Junior Baseball All-Star game, and with the Rosedales and St. Boniface Saints. Later on curling became his focus and for 3 consecutive years he skipped the St. Vital Curling Club champions and won many bonspiels. He was also an avid tennis player, skier and golfer.

Playing sports led Don into his future career. After suffering a neck injury playing football he was referred to a chiropractor and was so impressed that he decided to become one himself. He spent the next 4 years attending the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto. To pay for his classes he worked pumping gas, selling shoes, shovelling coal, and at a logging camp. He hitchhiked back and forth many times between Winnipeg and Toronto, spending more than 1 night sleeping under semi-trailers at truck stops. To continue on with his final year and being short of funds, Don had to win 1 of 2 available scholarships and he succeeded. After graduating in 1956 he returned to Winnipeg and set up his practice, being the 7th chiropractor registered in Manitoba. His hard work paid off and he enjoyed a 41 year career, having over 10,000 patients by the time he retired in 1997.

Don met Betty Graham on the golf course at Clear Lake and they were married in 1959. They settled in St. Vital where they raised their 2 children and Don had his office. His life revolved around his family and career. He was a devoted family man, supportive and reliable. He was a teacher to his kids whether coaching them in sports or helping with math homework and made sure they had many opportunities. Summers were spent at the cottage on Falcon Lake, taking road trips with the trailer and playing tennis.

In 1984 Don and Betty found a new passion, harness racing. Over the next 20 years they owned several horses, including the 1990 Manitoba-bred Horse of the Year, Kara Brewer. In 1988 the lake cottage was traded for a 10 acre property near Stonewall. Entering their 60’s, Don and Betty enthusiastically embarked on a new lifestyle, that of horsekeeping and country living. Don considered this, “a house in the country with horses and a dog”, his dream home. Always staying active, he took up horseback riding while in his 70’s. He and Betty became grandparents in 1998 and enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren.

Don spent his final years living at Lion’s Manor in Stonewall where he made many new friends. He enjoyed going for coffee, golfing, hearing the news from his grandchildren, and visiting the horses and pets at his daughter’s.

Goodbye Dad, we’ll sure miss your sound advice, support and sense of humour.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 17 at the Quarry Park Heritage Arts Centre in Stonewall.