Allen Crabtree, 94, of Waterloo, went home to be with the Lord from Lakeview Landing of Friendship Village on Monday, December 3, 2007.

Edward Allen Crabtree was born July 14, 1913 in Waterloo, the son of George Peter and Grace Eleanor Allen Crabtree. Allen graduated from Waterloo East High School.

Allen married Wanda B. Loyd on May 9, 1936 on her parents’ farm near Raymond. Wanda went home April 10, 1997.

Allen worked as a refrigeration engineer at Rath Packing Co. from 1936 to 1950 and as a life underwriter for Bankers Life (Principal Financial Group) from 1950 until retiring in 1984.

Allen was a longtime member of Walnut Ridge Baptist Church. He served as a Deacon, member of the choir, on the building committee, a friend and mentor. He enjoyed his church activities, farming, working on cars, his music, and helping others. Allen did a great deal for older church members, widows and single women. He helped missionaries find housing and cars as they were home on furlough.

He is survived by daughter Kathy Giesen of Eugene, Oregon, daughter Karen Fickau and her husband Allan of Big Rock, Illinois, four grandchildren: Tyson Fickau of San Diego, California, Drew Fickau of Big Rock, Illinois, Erika Giesen of Ashland, Oregon, and Brooke Giesen of Oakland, California. Also by his sister Audrey Wagner of Cedar Falls.

Allen is preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brother Max Crabtree.