Allen Laflen 
M, (13 November 1911 - 7 August 2009)
Allen Laflen was born on 13 November 1911. He married Mary Anna Elizabeth Brown, daughter of Arthur John Brown and Rhoda Ellen Wheeler, circa 1935. Allen Laflen died on 7 August 2009 at age 97 years, 8 months and 25 days.
From Gary R. Hawpe, ed. and Judy Brown, comp., 'Wedding Anniversary,' Van Bibber Pioneers E-Newsletter, Vol. 4 No. 11 (September 2001), pp. 19 - 20.
70th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY HELD FOR ALLEN AND MARY LAFLEN
Allen and Mary Laflen of rural Moundville celebrated their 70th anniversary in June, 2001, at a family gathering. The actual date is in August but as Mary Laflen says, 'Who wants to come to Missouri in August?'
Mary Laflen was born in Nebraska, but as a very young infant she was bought by her parents to Rockville, MO, and later moved to Milo, Missouri. She still has the wicker basket that she was carried in as the family moved to Rockville. She completed her last year of high school in Nevada, in 1931, and very soon she and Allen Laflen were married after having met in the Milo Methodist Church. For five years, they lived in Milo until the house they rented burned down while Mary was cooking dinner. So the couple rented a farm and moved to a house on the acreage. They report that they nearly starved to death that first year. Things improved however, and they continued to live in the Marvin Chapel neighborhood until 1943.
In 1943, they moved to the area where they now live. They later bought their farm and began improving and adding on to the house on the land and have stayed there ever since. Allen Laflen said that his generation of farmers added to their land 80 acres at a time, but the present generation adds land by the thousand acres. However, he adds that he and Mary have always 'gone economy' but still enjoyed many of the great things of life. Among these things are numerous trips, including Alaska, Europe, Australia and New Zealand and Russia for 18 days. This year they took a two week bus trip to Eastern Canada, and last year went to the northwest United States. But they say they will not do any more lengthy trips.
The Laflens have 15 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Mary can name each of them and give their birth dates. Each of their children have college educations, several going into masters or doctorate degrees.
Allen says he feels very fortunate that they have had such a good long life together and, in spite of illness, tragedy and hard times, have still enjoyed what they consider a very good life. Mary is proudest of their family, but Allen added with a smile, 'I'm proud of my wife.' He has reason to be since Mary has been a 4-H leader for 47 years in Moundville, Ellis and Bronaugh 4-H clubs. She still lead a food project class until three years ago. She is a member of the Drywood Community and the Good Cheer clubs, has taught Sunday school and both Laflens have been life-long members of the Methodist Church. Allen aid he has not taken leadership roles in his community because he is a 'follow-horse.' But most in the community would deem it an honor to follow either of these hard-working, solid citizens.
Nevada Daily Mail, Nevada, Missouri.
From Gary R. Hawpe, ed. and Judy Brown, comp., 'Wedding Anniversary,' Van Bibber Pioneers E-Newsletter, Vol. 4 No. 11 (September 2001), pp. 19 - 20.
70th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY HELD FOR ALLEN AND MARY LAFLEN
Allen and Mary Laflen of rural Moundville celebrated their 70th anniversary in June, 2001, at a family gathering. The actual date is in August but as Mary Laflen says, 'Who wants to come to Missouri in August?'
Mary Laflen was born in Nebraska, but as a very young infant she was bought by her parents to Rockville, MO, and later moved to Milo, Missouri. She still has the wicker basket that she was carried in as the family moved to Rockville. She completed her last year of high school in Nevada, in 1931, and very soon she and Allen Laflen were married after having met in the Milo Methodist Church. For five years, they lived in Milo until the house they rented burned down while Mary was cooking dinner. So the couple rented a farm and moved to a house on the acreage. They report that they nearly starved to death that first year. Things improved however, and they continued to live in the Marvin Chapel neighborhood until 1943.
In 1943, they moved to the area where they now live. They later bought their farm and began improving and adding on to the house on the land and have stayed there ever since. Allen Laflen said that his generation of farmers added to their land 80 acres at a time, but the present generation adds land by the thousand acres. However, he adds that he and Mary have always 'gone economy' but still enjoyed many of the great things of life. Among these things are numerous trips, including Alaska, Europe, Australia and New Zealand and Russia for 18 days. This year they took a two week bus trip to Eastern Canada, and last year went to the northwest United States. But they say they will not do any more lengthy trips.
The Laflens have 15 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Mary can name each of them and give their birth dates. Each of their children have college educations, several going into masters or doctorate degrees.
Allen says he feels very fortunate that they have had such a good long life together and, in spite of illness, tragedy and hard times, have still enjoyed what they consider a very good life. Mary is proudest of their family, but Allen added with a smile, 'I'm proud of my wife.' He has reason to be since Mary has been a 4-H leader for 47 years in Moundville, Ellis and Bronaugh 4-H clubs. She still lead a food project class until three years ago. She is a member of the Drywood Community and the Good Cheer clubs, has taught Sunday school and both Laflens have been life-long members of the Methodist Church. Allen aid he has not taken leadership roles in his community because he is a 'follow-horse.' But most in the community would deem it an honor to follow either of these hard-working, solid citizens.
Nevada Daily Mail, Nevada, Missouri.
Last Edited=18 Feb 2011