Janet K. Allen

Janet K Allen

Janet (Dustin) Allen, 78, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse after a very short fight against melanoma. She was born May 24, 1946, in Viroqua, WI to Derald and Helen (Buros) Dustin. Janet attended Elk Run School and graduated from Viroqua High School.

Janet pursued a career in the insurance field working for WPS in Madison and other companies for many years until her retirement. 

On October 24, 1970, she and Charles "Chuck" Lewison were united in marriage in Viroqua. They spent 25 of the 32 years they were married vacationing along the sun-filled beaches of Hawaii until Chuck's health made it impossible to make the trip. They so often spoke of all the friends and fond memories of their time spent there. 

After Chuck passed, Janet met Lee Allen and they were married on March 20, 2004, in Viroqua. Janet and Lee enjoyed a wide variety of activities from hosting picnics to go kart racing and operating a food stand at local fairs and festivals. They spent eight winters in the warmth of FL, again making so many more friends. After Lee's passing, she held dear to her special dog, Buddy, who saw her through many ups and downs but was her constant companion.

Janet always liked to keep busy and so she decided to re-enter the workforce part-time and was employed at various locations in La Crosse over the last few years including Shopko, Kwik Trip, Festival Foods and American Greetings where she met numerous friends. She also volunteered to maintain the local Springbrook Park that Lee helped to get renovated in 2019. Janet was an easy person to admire for her quick smile and welcoming demeanor. She has been encircled by so many friends throughout her life.

Janet held a strong faith in her heavenly Father and was involved with Immanual Lutheran Church in Viroqua as a prayer warrior offering prayers for those in need.

Janet is survived by her sisters, Bonnie (John) Young, and Susan Pugh and sister-in-law Margie Dustin, nieces and nephews along with her grandson Allen (Sam) McCord and one great-granddaughter. She is further survived by a close friend Larry Eide and numerous longtime neighborhood friends and coworkers.

She was preceded in death by her parents Derald and Helen Dustin, her husbands, Charles Lewison and Lee Allen, a daughter Adrienne McCord, brother Rod Dustin, brother-in-law Troy Pugh and niece Jill Young. 

Thank you to the Gundersen Health System, especially Dr Caressa Eckley and the entire team that provided exceptional care and compassion for Janet while in the hospital. Also thank you to Dr Emily Dolan and Dr David Yao, the chaplains from the Hospital, Festival and Pastor Michele Engh for their visits and prayers.

As you have read, the theme throughout this is her many friends. In her last wishes, Janet wanted this to be shared, "Thank you for being the true, loving and caring people in my life." 

A visitation for Janet will be held at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Avenue South, La Crosse from 1:00 pm until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 8th with a prayer service and committal prayers at 2:30 p.m. Pastor Michele Engh will officiate. Private burial will be held in the Ferryville Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be given to the Viroqua Immanuel Lutheran Church, Coulee Region Humane Society or a charitable organization of your choice.