Visitation: Visitation will be Friday from 2 to 7:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, with family present from 5 to 7:00 p.m. A Prayer Service will begin at 6:45 p.m.

Service: The Celebration of Life will be held at Canton United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 23 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at 9:30 prior to the service at the Worthing Cemetery.

G. Allen Stearns, 86, of Canton, SD died June 20, 2018 at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls, SD. The Celebration of Life will be held at Canton United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 23 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at 9:30 prior to the service at the Worthing Cemetery. Visitation is Friday, June 22 from 2:00-7:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Service in Canton.  The family will be present from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:45.

Allen was born May 31, 1932 to George and Mary (Hill) Stearns at the Lee Hotel in Canton. He attended elementary school in Sioux Falls, was a member of the Canton High School Class of 1950 and attended South Dakota State College in Brookings.

He married Mavis Urben on November 2, 1952 in Canton, SD. He and Mavis farmed for more than 50 years, first on the Bong farm one mile north of Worthing and then on the Urben farm one mile south of Worthing. He served as the Lynn Township treasurer and was a Pioneer Seed dealer for many years.  He was a master of DIY projects and enjoyed woodworking and water skiing.

Allen shared his faith in God through his actions. An active member of the Canton United Methodist Church, he sang in the choir, served on many committees and was always available to help with building and repair projects.  Allen and Mavis went on a mission trip to Jamaica and participated in the Habitat for Humanity Jimmy Carter Blitz Build in Eagle Butte, SD. He also made five trips to Haiti with Solar Oven Partners.

A loving husband and dad, he is survived by his wife, Mavis; daughters Cynthia Nelson and her husband Jeff and Michele Olsen and her husband Tom of Sioux Falls; sons Mark and his wife Jill of Madison and Craig and his wife Lee of Worthing; 10 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and a sister Annis Ernesti of Yakima, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Russel, sisters Olive Stensland, Elsie Miller and Esther “Jennie” O’Dell-Coburn and infant great granddaughter Kendra Faith Stearns.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Canton United Methodist Church or Solar Oven Partners at 928 4th St #2, Brookings, SD 57006.