ROSE A. (HANSEN) ALLEN
May 5, 1927–Oct. 28, 2024
On Oct. 28, 2024, Rose Astrid Hansen Allen, a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Saucier, Mississippi, with family by her side. Rose was 97 years old and leaves behind a legacy of love, adventure, and an unyielding devotion to family and community.
Rose was born in Newcastle, Wyoming, on May 5, 1927, to Ella Toth Hansen and Carl Henry Hansen. She was the second of eight children: Bill Hansen, Jimmy Hansen, Lorraine Davis, Helen Nicolls, Shirley Borgialli, Fred Hansen and Jack Hansen. Grandparents Frederikke (Thobiasen) and Hans Hansen emigrated from Denmark to their homestead (Hansen Ranch) in Weston County, near the Crook County line, where her father Carl was born. Grandparents John Toth Sr. and Rose (Semsey) Toth emigrated from Hungary and were married in Michigan. Rose’s mother Ella was born at Dietz, WY.
Rose grew up on the Hansen Ranch and in Newcastle. A devoted student with a lifelong love of reading, Rose excelled in her studies and graduated as salutatorian from Newcastle High School in 1945. She was a member of Job’s Daughters (Masonic girls’ organization).
Rose met Ervin R. Allen at a dance at the Roundhouse north of Newcastle, after he returned from World War II service. They were married in the First United Methodist Church in Newcastle on Oct. 21, 1947, where Rose was a lifelong member. They were married almost 72 years.
The couple first lived at the Allen Ranch, and then moved to the sawmill camp near Parmelee area south of Mallo Camp, where daughter Kathy was born. During the blizzard of January 1949, they moved to Newcastle, where son Dan was later born. In the 1980s, they bought the Baker Place, a mile north of Four Corners. In 2001, they moved back to Newcastle. After Ervin passed, Rose continued to live in Newcastle, but then she moved to Sheridan to be near Dan and family. Then, she moved to Saucier to live with Kathy, Harvey, Suzanne and Apollo in August 2023 (four generation household) with Stephen and family nearby.
In early years, Rose and Ervin enjoyed country dances, roller skating, movies and sightseeing in the Black Hills. They embarked on countless adventures filled with outdoor activities, camping, boating, hunting and fishing. Summers were filled with “wood parties” to cut dry “bug” trees and quaking aspen. Memories were made with travels all over the western US, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada.
After her marriage, Rose focused on homemaking and did various jobs for extra income. Later, she owned the Credit Bureau of Newcastle with daughter Kathy. In the 1980s, Rose worked as county commissioner secretary and assistant deputy to the county clerk, and she retired in May 1992. She was active in her local and state community throughout her life.
Rose loved to keep in contact with family and friends through many hand written letters and cards, phone calls or visits. In 2014, she published, “The Personal Memoirs of Rose Astrid Hansen Allen,” 300 pages of stories and photos.
Rose is survived by her children Kathy (Harvey) Dummer of Saucier, Dan (Becky Burleson) Allen of Sheridan, WY; grandchildren Suzanne Stafford of Saucier, Stephen (Geneva) Dummer of Biloxi, MS, Marilee (Matt) Goodrich of Longmont, CO and Melanie (J.) Araas of Sheridan, WY; great-grandchildren Landon Goodrich, Max Goodrich, Apollo Stafford, Ethan Araas, Jonathan Dummer, Blake Araas and Chloe Dummer.
Rose’s family plans a celebration of life for May 2025 at the First United Methodist Church in Newcastle. Burial of the urn will be at the Boyd Cemetery.
Friends and family may sign her online guestbook and leave condolences for the family at SMFS.US
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Rose’s honor to the First United Methodist Church, 23 N. Seneca Ave., Newcastle, WY 82701.