Allan Schoening

Allan M Schoening died on March 24, 2017 in Alexandria, MN at age 99. Allan was born in Appleton, MN on August 19, 1917 to Max Schoening and Della Lende Schoening. He graduated from Appleton High School in 1935 and became a Chrysler Plymouth dealer in Appleton. During WW II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Seabee in Trinidad. After the war ended, Allan returned to Appleton and opened a Chevrolet dealership with Arthur Huckle where they remained partners until 1969. Allan was active in Appleton's civic life – first as a city council member and then as mayor in 1958-59. In 1968, Allan returned to college full time at the University of Minnesota Morris and graduated in 1972. After graduating, he taught automotive services at the Alexandria Area Technical Institute until he retired in 1981.


Allan was an active member of the United Methodist Church, the Masonic Lodge and a member of the American Legion.

Allan's hobbies were many and varied. He enjoyed flying airplanes, hunting, fishing, reading, music and building pipe organs, but working as a mechanic was his true gift and lifelong passion. Allan wrote "I've been a mechanic all my life…Mechanics is where I feel at home." And Allan was indeed happiest whenever he was fixing a vehicle or machining a specialized part for one of his many friends.

He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Elaine Amidon Schoening; two children, Annette Strand and Paul Schoening; and five grandchildren, Keith Strand and Meridith, Max, Jack, and Samuel Schoening.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 3 at 11:00 a.m. at the Alexandria United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 AM Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alexandria United Methodist Church or University of Minnesota Morris are preferred.