Zena Mae Allen, 90, of Independence, Missouri, passed away on August 12, 2023. She was born on December 23, 1932, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late Walter and Gladys (Storms) Zimmerling. Zena was a kind and patient Christian woman who dedicated her life to her family, faith, and friends.
Zena was a loving wife, mother, and a very hard worker. She had a love for children, music, singing, musical movies, and the Lord. Zena’s creative side was evident in her beautiful poems and Christian songs. Zena was truly a prayer warrior throughout her life. She enjoyed walking, water exercise, reading the Bible, and writing Christian songs and poems. Zena also cherished spending time with her family and friends, especially the family reunions.
Zena is survived by her four daughters, Cherie Flynn, of Holden, Cindy Allen, of Olathe, Kansas, Susan (Jimmy) Vinson, of Lawson, and Janis Allen, of Independence; significant other, Fred Toomey; daughter-in-law, Annette Allen, of Greenwood; three sisters, Rose Drake, of Energy, Illinois, Dolores Foutts, of Martin City, and Dorothy Landreth, of Kansas City, Kansas; brothers, Mike (Phyllis) Simmons, of Frankfort, Kansas, Walt (Charlotte) Zimmerling, of Frankfort, Kansas, Paul (Mary) Zimmerling, of Home, Kansas, and Phil (Judy) Zimmerling, of Axtell, Kansas; and brother-in-law, Chuck Elsinger, of Marysville, Kansas. Zena leaves behind a legacy of love, as she is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, and many great-great grandchildren.
Zena was preceded in death by her father, Walter Zimmerling; mother, Gladys Storms (Mitchell), stepmother, Bertille Zimmerling; sisters, Selma Jo, Verla Towle, Nadine Vancamp, Grace Wion, and Teresa Elsinger; brothers, Charlie, Bob, and James; husband, Arnold (Arnie) Allen; sons, John Allen and Jeff Allen; and great granddaughter, Marian Ohana Surrey.
A visitation will be held on August 30, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs, with a graveside service to follow at Pisgah Cemetery. There will be a “Celebration of Life” at Graceway Church, 5460 Blue Ridge Cutoff, Raytown, MO 64133 from 2 to 6 p.m. following her graveside service.
Zena will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her legacy of kindness and dedication will forever be cherished by those who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Specialized Home Care and Hospice, 2311 Redwood, Independence, MO, or Graceway Church, 5460 Blue Ridge Cutoff, Raytown, MO 64133.
Our Sincere Condolences
Our thoughts and prayers are with my Sister Zena and her family. May God bless her and her family and friends.
Mike & Phyllis Simmons
MOM was a woman of integrity; she had a very strong relationship with JESUS CHRIST—that is the legacy she leaves behind!!! She was thoughtful, loving and giving, but she held fast to her godly values, she lived them out day by day, until the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease stole so much from her. MOM taught us to pray from a very early age, her powerful prayer life kept GOD’s hedge of protection around us, but mom always asked GOD for HIS will, not hers. MOM prayed for each family member by name, even those who were not married in, if they became a part of her children or grandchildren’s lives, she was going to be praying for them, that was her love for her family. MOM led us in prayer at almost every family gathering, she always set the example to honor GOD. MOM prayed blessings over us, but her greatest prayer and desire was to see each of her family members follow the path JESUS left for us. MOM would share her songs of love and worship for her Savior to almost everyone she came in contact with. I can remember her telling me she sang to the customers that came through her drive-thru window at McDonalds. I found her singing on the steps of the Sermon Center before grandson Eli’s graduation. I stood and listened as she told TOTAL strangers, GOD had given her the words and melody to the songs she sang, and she just wanted to share what HE was doing in her life. MOM was bold in her faith, that is and will always be my greatest memory of our loving mother. LIFE posed many struggles for mom, but she held her head high, she persevered to the best of her abilities, and she praised GOD for HIS presence, HIS mercies. These were mom’s attributes, she wore them well, she wore them beautifully, we were very blessed to be raised by a godly mother! I have no doubt mom is singing in Heaven. She is walking the streets of gold, she has seen the crystal sea, and I KNOW without a doubt she heard from her SAVIOR….well done thou good and faithful servant!!! GOD blessed us, by giving us our godly mother. She will be forever treasured!
Susie Vinson
Aunt Zena was a blessing to everyone who was privileged to have known her. She was dearly loved, and will be sorely missed. All my love to her family.
Lorri Dunkin
I loved Aunt Zena’s smile and welcoming personality, her laugh, and how she loved her family and friends with all of herself. Her memory will always bring laugh’s and smiles and … tears… for our loss. Cheri, Cindy, Janice and Susan I see her sweet spirit in all of you, I can see the smile on her face when Jesus says to her:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.
You have been faithful over a little;
I will set you over much.
Enter into the joy of your master.” – Matthew 25:21
“Now the angels rejoice as a good soul has finally made it’s way home.”
Sally Trued
