Merle Dutton Allen was welcomed into the next phase of eternity by her parents, husband, daughter and granddaughter on April 13, 2026. She was born in January 1943 to Kendall Asay & Beatrice Henderson Dutton of Cannonville, UT, where she grew up among the red hills and a loving family and friends. She attended Bryce Valley Schools before she met and married Don Allen in 1961, later being sealed in the St. George Temple in 1963. Together they spent time in Cannonville, Mesquite, NV, Cedar City, UT and then settled in Fredonia, AZ where they raised their family. Her and Don spent some time in their later years in Richfield, UT.

Merle was the youngest in the family and had to learn to defend herself early. She could hold her own with her brothers and their friends, and sometimes out shoot them. She had friends from her youth that she kept in touch with throughout her life and was grateful for her close knit family. She also appreciated the family bond with Don’s family.

Even though Merle wasn’t as prominent in the community as Don, she was still a huge part of it, just behind the scenes. There is no way to count the sandwiches she has made, the pumpkin cookies & loaves of bread she baked, the potatoes she has peeled, the wood permits she has filled out and miles she has traveled to support her husband and children. The skeins of yarn, yards of material and the time she spent crafting these things into beautiful works of art are immeasurable. And most importantly, the stories she endured from the Allen clan seemed endless. Merle sacrificed a lot so her family could have what they needed.

Merle had an ornery streak a mile wide that she proudly called the ‘Henderson temper’ and she would tell you what she thought if she felt the need. But, her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation was just as strong. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many church callings throughout her life. She said that Compassionate Service Leader in which she served for over 10 years was the toughest calling, but very rewarding. Her time as a ward missionary with her husband as her companion, was her favorite calling. They spent countless hours and drove countless miles assisting the missionaries assigned to their stake, hastening the Lord’s work.

It didn’t really matter what Don and Merle were doing, as long as they were together and serving others. This is a tradition that has been passed on to their children and grandchildren. Merle was so tied to her sweetheart that she took on his nickname. She was known to many as “Lady Dangerous”.

Family history was very important to her. She spend hours and hours researching and recording family events and pedigree charts. Touring cemeteries in Southern Utah was a favorite past time. She could tell you who your relatives were once she knew the family name. And, to her, you didn’t have to be blood relatives to be family. She was so welcoming to so many people of any age.

Merle is survived by her children Roene (Dwayne) Shaw, Charles (Connie) Allen and Harris (Lisa) Allen, 12 grandchildren, and many more great grandchildren; and her sisters Nola Davis and Karen Sivils. She is proceeded in death by her parents, husband Don; daughter Evaline; granddaughter Talisa; brothers Bud, Afton, Mel and Larry Gene; and sisters, Toots Heaton and Tiny Reynolds.

In lieu of flowers, please pay it forward! Find someone to serve and do it with a loving heart.
Services will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 3:00 PM at Mosdell Mortuary in Kanab, Utah. Burial will be in the Fredonia Cemetery.