Allen C Farwell

COTTAGE GROVE / Oxford - Allen C. Farwell, age 80, of Cottage Grove, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024. He was born on Nov. 9, 1943, in Madison, Wis., the son of Coyt and Catherine (Carpenter) Farwell.

Allen graduated from Madison East High School in 1963. He met his wife, Sharon, there when she was 15 and he was 18. On Feb. 27, 1965, he married Sharon Vincent in Madison. He enjoyed a 54-year career working as a backhoe operator as well as an installer of swimming pools, and septic system at Farwell Pools. He held a master Plumbers license as well as a pump installer and was also a Registered soil tester.

Allen got his student pilot's license at age 16, before he got his driver’s license at 18, and then received his Private pilot's license in 1975. He started to build his own experimental Baby Ace Aircraft when he was 16 and worked for Ace Aircraft in McFarland. He rebuilt a 1946 Aeronca Chief with his grandson, Sam, in 2008. He has been a long time member of the EAA and held member No. 17049, as well as a member of local EAA CORBEN Chapter 93.

Allen was an aspiring inventor who loved the outdoors, working with his hands, (he often said "God blessed me with these awesome hands.") He also enjoyed gardening, his birds, especially Humming birds, and wild life.

He always looked forward to spending time with his family, filled with camping, star gazing, road trips filled with adventure, always asking the children "which way, right or left?" Not knowing where the family’s final destination would be. Road trips would be educational, by pointing out irrigation and what types of clouds were overhead, and filled with family experiments, hands on. When a family member spotted the first deer, they received the first ice cream cone. He sure enjoyed his ice cream cones. and he never stopped loving his ice cream. He would often say, "When Sharon and I were dating, an ice cream cone cost 15 cents, now if I want a cone, with the family, it will cost me well over $20," (laughing).

The Farwell name stood for INTEGRITY, and he was very proud to be a FARWELL.

Sharon was Allen's Queen. He and Sharon with the help of their family built a dream home for Sharon, for supporting him in the design of his invention of an Automatic Perk Tester. Saying to the family," I'm building a Castle for my Princess."

He loved teaching others new things, especially co-workers and his children and grandchildren. He was a kind, generous man who would give you his last dollar, he had a great sense of humor even moments before he passed away, He was a great storyteller, and jokester.

Allen often said he was not "religious" he was "spiritual." He and Sharon were "featured" in this month's Unity newsletter.

Allen is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sharon; children, David Farwell, Deerfield, Rochelle (Eric) Elliott, Deerfield, and Stacy Farwell, Cottage Grove/Oxford; grandchildren, Benjamin, Samuel, and Amanda Farwell, Lucas Elliott and Trevor Bushke; great-grandchildren, Keaton Farwell and George Farwell; Siblings, Virginia Zwickey, Bernice Murray, Duane (Camilla) Farwell, Donald Farwell and Dale (Kathy) Farwell; brothers-in-law, James (Becky) Vincent, California, Richard (Irene) Vincent, California, and Robert (Connie Bush) Vincent; Florida; along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandchild, Adam Farwell; and sisters, Betty Jacob and Jean Farwell.

A funeral service will be held at UNITY OF MADISON, 601 Tompkins Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 24, 2024, with Rev. Debra Carter Williams presiding. Burial will be held at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2024, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. The family wishes to thank Peggy Weber, and the St. Patrick's Catholic Church Cancer support group, CNA, Andrea, (love of his life), RN, Lisa, Pastor Derek, and the staff of Agrace Hospice Care for all of their wonderful care and support given to Allen and his family.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420