obituary

R. Michael Allen
Born in Logan, Utah on Jan. 9, 1978
Departed on Jun. 30, 2010 and resided in Ogden, UT.

Visitation: Tuesday, Jul. 6, 2010 & Wednesday, Jul. 7, 2010
Service: Wednesday, Jul. 7, 2010
Cemetery: Farmington City Cemetery

R. Michael Allen received a triumphant welcome into the arms of his Savior on Wednesday, June 30, 2010. With his backpack full, his worn-out Nebraska hat on, and a playful smile on his face, he traveled to one of his favorite places, Havasupai, Grand Canyon, with the young men from the LDS Ogden Foothills ward. It is there that Michael tragically drowned.
Michael was born on January 9, 1978 and lived all 32 years of his life to the fullest. The first child of Ronald Allen and Catherine Schmitz, he was the quintessential big brother to his sister and two brothers. Michael was a tender-hearted, bright and sweet child who grew into a still-tender-hearted yet mischievous teenager. After graduating from Orem High in 1996, Michael had developed into a stalwart young man who knew his Savior. He served an LDS mission in the California, San Bernardino Mission from 1997 to 1999.
Michael loved the outdoors and took to the mountains as often as he could. He loved the world and was blessed with a sharp and analytical mind. A handsome, hard-working athletic man, Michael bought a home in Ogden, built in 1913, and renovated it from the inside out – teaching himself electrical, plumbing, framing, and other skills as he went along. While at Weber State University, Michael met Lisa Luke: beautiful, smart and sweet with just the right amount of sass to match Michael's strong-willed opinions. Angelically, Lisa brought out Michael's sweet and sensitive side; in each other they found best friends, companions and soul mates. To his everlasting credit and the thrill of his friends and family, Michael married Lisa Luke for time and all eternity in the Bountiful Temple on June 24, 2005, and they made their home in Ogden. Michael graduated with a bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science in 2005 from Weber State University.
Family meant everything to Michael. Michael was an avid Nebraska Cornhuskers fan, partly out of a love of good football, and mostly as a sign of love and loyalty to his extended Schmitz family. Despite his zealous and competitive nature, Michael had genuine compassion; his deep and tender feelings were sometimes betrayed by his penchant for getting stressed over things he couldn't fix. Michael took upon himself to take care of everyone around him, and nobly fought with loyalty and love for his friends and family.
On August 17, 2008, Michael and Lisa joyously welcomed their precious girl, Andalyn, into their lives. Michael adored his wife and baby the only way he knew how: with complete and fierce loyalty. Michael is preceded in passing most recently by his beloved brother-in-law Christopher Luke, grandparents, Joseph Schmitz, Consuella Farrenkopf, Kenneth Allen and Vernie Richards. Michael is survived by his wife, Lisa Luke Allen, his 22-month-old daughter Andalyn Allen, mother Catherine Schmitz, father and step-mother Ronald and Joann Allen, mother and father-in-law Douglas and Carma Luke, sister Bethany Warr (Jesse), brother Samuel Isaac Allen, brother Daniel Allen (Laura Warr). Brothers-and-sisters-in-law Scott and Leslie Francis, Gabe and Lori Griffin, and his dear nephews and nieces .
Funeral services will be held Wednesday July 7, 2010 at 11 am at the LDS Foothills Ward chapel, 1475 Cahoon St., Ogden, Utah. A viewing will be held Tuesday evening from 6-8 pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah and also from 9:45-10:45 am at the church prior to services.