Clyde Myers Allebach

The life of Clyde Myers Allebach, age 91, who lived a life filled with integrity and compassion, ended peacefully on March 24, 2016, at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, Minnesota. Clyde was born to Irwin Allebach and Edna Myers Allebach on October 24, 1924, in a stone farmhouse outside of Silverdale, Pennsylvania. The farmhouse closely postdated the Revolutionary War, having been built in 1777. As a young boy, Clyde loved racing bicycles and sneaking off to the auto races at the race track near his home. He assisted his father with farm chores, delivering bottled milk from their dairy farm to nearby towns and selling milk wholesale to Landis Dairy. Later, due to the depression, his parents lost the family farm. In 1941, at age 16, Clyde met Verna Stauffer at the Philadelphia Farmers Market where she was selling produce, and he was selling buttermilk. On December 24, 1944, they were married in the Souderton, Pennsylvania, Mennonite Church. Their wedding was the first marriage ceremony performed there. Clyde and Verna moved to Minnesota from Pennsylvania in 1945, driving on donated gas rations, to start a rural Menahga (Huntersville) Mennonite Church. Clyde was chosen to be a minister by “casting of the lot”, and in 1948 at the age of 23, Clyde was ordained by the Mennonite Church. From 1945-1960, Clyde passionately fulfilled many roles – he was a farmer, minister, custom hay baler, Watkins salesman, and school bus driver. In 1960, Clyde and Verna moved their farmhouse and church building, an original one-room school house, to the outskirts of Menahga. He faithfully pastored the Menahga Mennonite Church until 1972. From 1960-1970, Clyde worked in multiple positions at the Coop Sampo and Coop Hardware stores, delivered bulk oil and managed the Co-op Garage. When delivering oil, he hunted for used bike parts to build bikes for each of his children. He would have coffee with his customers and give candy to the children. As manager, he was known for his superb customer service—while filling a car with gas, Clyde vacuumed the car interior, which endeared him to the Co-op’s customers. Clyde was offered the position as the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home Administrator in 1970. Having had an 8th grade formal education, he pursued his GED, and then took correspondence courses to obtain his Administrative license. He accepted the position and then passed the State Board exam. He was well known for delivering the mail daily to each resident and always inquiring on their well-being. In 1972, Clyde moved to Sellersville, Pennsylvania, to become the Administrator of the Rockhill Mennonite Home. This gave Clyde and Verna opportunity to reconnect with their families back in Pennsylvania. After 5 months, Clyde and Verna chose to return to Menahga, their home, where later Clyde accepted the position as Director of Senior Nutrition for the Community Action Program. During his tenure, he established 13 nutrition sites in northern Minnesota, including one in Menahga. In 1978, he became a Farmer’s Union Field Representative. Clyde’s staff and co-workers referred to him as the “Farmer’s Union Preacher”, as he fought and prayed for the sustenance of small family farms. During this time, many families lost their small farms. He also retrofitted his Ford pickup to run on wood, travelling around the state in “Smokey the Truck”, educating people about alternative fuels. “Smokey” was proudly on display at the Minnesota State Fair for several years. At age 62 he retired from Farmer’s Union and accepted a job with Farmers Union Milk Marketing Cooperative, working for them until 2003. He also continued his life call as a Minister, serving as Pastor of the Straight River Fellowship Church for 5 years. Clyde enjoyed working outdoors, cutting wood for their sauna and wood heat stove, and planting and attending their bountiful vegetable garden with Verna. He also planted multiple trees and wildflowers throughout their property. Clyde created a small bird sanctuary in their front yard and he and Verna spent many hours of bird watching from their dining room window. Clyde loved cars and was known for exclusively owning Ford – made in the USA – vehicles of which he took meticulous care. Loving cars as he did, he and Verna enjoyed extensive road trips throughout the United States. In their later years, Clyde and Verna’s favorite destination was Itasca State Park. After retirement, he occupied himself with a “bike ministry” for five years, restoring bikes from scrap or salvaged parts, for the children of the Pine Point School, White Earth Indian Reservation. He continued ministering to people by conducting numerous weddings and funerals, especially for those without a home church. He would literally drop everything to visit and comfort the sick and dying. Clyde and Verna shared 71 loving years together and raised 11 children. Clyde was devoted to his family. One of his greatest joys were the family reunions with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. His final mission in life was dedicating himself to lovingly and compassionately caring for his wife, Verna, who developed Alzheimer’s symptoms. Clyde will be remembered for his profound belief in Christ as his personal Savior and his eternal hope. He lived out this conviction by serving the needy and the broken-hearted and offering them the unfailing love of Christ that he so well knew. Clyde is survived by his wife of 71 years, brothers Harold Allebach and Ralph Allebach of Pennsylvania; children, Lucy Oliver (Lynn), Chicago, IL; Emily Dwyer, Uganda; Eva Allebach, Tempe, AZ; Rudy (Suzette Meakins), Minnetonka, MN; Betty Kangas (Bob), Menahga; Rodney (Linda) Ostego, MN; Beverly Allebach, Chicago, IL; Robert (Pam), Menahga; Robin Allebach, Moorhead, MN; Roxanne Covert (Kevin), Willmar, MN. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son Lowell (Richard); a great granddaughter Isabella Phoebe Garlich; a brother Roy Allebach; and a sister Arlene Delp. A visitation will be held at the First English Lutheran Church in Menahga from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, April 2nd. The funeral will be at the church on Sunday, April 3rd at 2:00. There will be a one hour visitation before the funeral service. Arrangements entrusted to Wevley Funeral Home. Burial is in the Menahga Cemetery. In honor of the love and marriage Clyde and Verna shared for 71 years, memorials are preferred to Mennonite Central Committee, MCC U.S., 21 South 12th Street, PO Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500, or: www.mcc.org. We, the family, sincerely thanks the staff of Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga for their gracious and loving care of our father, grandfather and great grandfather. We witnessed many acts of kindness and appreciated the tender care that went above and beyond. May God shine his face kindly upon each of you.