Allen Lee Ukens, 91, passed away April 1, 2025, at Azria Health Woodhaven in Great Bend, Kan. He was born on Dec. 17, 1933, in Great Bend to Wesley and Ella C. (Petersen) Ukens. He attended a rural District 11 school near the family farm and graduated from Pawnee Rock High School. In 1963, he married Janet Carr in Great Bend, and they later divorced in 1987. 

Allen lived on the family farm near Pawnee Rock for most of his life until moving to Great Bend in 2018. He worked as a farmer and at Marlette Homes in his younger years. Later, he worked as an oil field roughneck. He retired from the Larned State Correctional Facility. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps as a member of the Military Police, and was stationed in San Diego, Calif., and in Japan during the Korean Conflict. Because of this service, he participated in a Kansas Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2014. Allen was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, American Legion Post #180, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and VFW Post 3111. Allen was a country boy and a cowboy at heart, loving classic country music, with his favorites including Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Alan Jackson. He always had a smile on his face, had a fun-loving sense of humor, and was pleasant to be around. 

Survivors include son, Daniel Ukens and his wife Colette of Ellinwood; daughter, Cathie McManaman and her husband Barry of Great Bend; grandchildren, Stacie Resner and her husband Matt of Ellinwood, Lexie Ukens of Ellinwood, Dena Hiss and her husband Matt of Great Bend, Brett McManaman and his wife Brittany of League City, Texas, Kelli McManaman of Kansas City, Mo.; great grandsons, William Resner, Noah Resner, Gage Ukens, Graham Hiss, Ethan Hiss, Owen Hiss; and sister, Beverly Juergensen of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Kenneth Ukens.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., April 17, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Jay Welshonse presiding. Military honors will be presented by the Marine Honor Guard and American Legion Riders Post 180. Memorials have been designated to American Legion Post #180, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS   67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 12, 2025