Allen Shane Achen age 52, made his journey home to be with his Lord and Savior on the morning of Saturday, April 27th, 2024, at Sidney Regional Medical Center, after a long and fearless battle fighting cancer. He was surrounded by his loved ones when he took his very last breath. He did not want to leave this earth, yet he wasn’t afraid to go.  Services to honor Allen will occur on Wednesday, May 15th at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1424 Maple Street, Sidney, NE at 10:30 A.M. with a luncheon to follow at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Educational Building in Sidney.  Inurnment will take place at 1:00 P.M. at the Dalton Cemetery where he will rest with his father.

*Donations made in his honor and in lieu of flowers can be made to The American Cancer Society or St. Jude’s Children Hospital.

            You may view Allen’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com.  Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Allen’s care.

     Allen was born in Bridgeport, Nebraska on November 5th, 1971. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Lee Achen, on August 15th, 2000 (Sidney, NE) and “Kellie Girl” Whitaker, October 22nd, 2000 (mother of his biological child - Kimball, NE)

     He is survived by his mother, Sylvia Ann Achen (Sidney, NE), older brother, Robert James Achen (Omaha, NE), sister Leah Marie Achen & (fiancé) Paul Kikel of (Chandler, AZ), sister Cynthia Lee Lojek and Brad Lojek of (Gurley, NE) and his biological child, Allen Michael Weinbender, (Kimball, NE). 

     He was baptized as a young child and grew into his faith as a man. Something that gave him great comfort in the last months of his life.

     He was affectionately known as the “Little Stinker” or “The Boy who Cried Wolf” as a brother and son. Boy, could he run fast! You had no chance of ever catching him or reaching him up to the tallest tree limb. He was a true daredevil, fearless and fast. He kept us all on our toes until the bitter end. 

     He had to grow up fast, he endured, survived, and recovered from many trials throughout his life here on earth; yet his bravery, sense of humor, and zest to stand tall, live life and keep his dreams alive never ceased.

     He could often be a man of few words, as his idol, Elvis would sing, “A little less conversation, a little more action…”  most definitely was his motto. 

     He loved having his own space, from a very young age, this was evident. He by nature was as free as a bird, he could not be suffocated and / or held down. He needed to breathe fresh air. Take in that sunset near some water. He loved the Rocky Mountains and all the serenity and peace it brought him.

     He loved his cigs, a good beer and burger, was a huge Denver Broncos fan, and often engaged in watching classic films, like The Outsiders, Eddie and the Cruisers or The Karate Kid. Great underdog characters in these films, something Allen could relate to.

     He loved motorcycles, fast cars and attending car races. If you knew him, you knew he dreamed of having a classic Roadrunner.  Our father had one. A recent classmate of his would remind me how he used to spin his feet in the dirt kicking up loads of dust in kindergarten portraying the Roadrunner cartoon character… "Vroom, vroom, I’m the Roadrunner!”  

     He often was his own personal mechanic and kept his vehicles running with the grit of his handy work. A trait he adopted from his father.

     He loved listening to his music, singing to each verse with all he had. In his younger years while living in eastern NE, he competed in a few talent venues impersonating Elvis (he had the moves and the voice and I’m not just saying that – he really did) he loved singing Karaoke too, a lot! He loved Elvis and once visited Graceland, a dream trip for him. We will miss him singing dearly!!! It took tenacity to stand up on stage and sing, and he did it with his whole heart.

     He loved going for drives all on his own, visiting places that meant something to him, going fishing in Bridgeport, pitching a tent under the stars or just driving around various Colorado mountain towns exploring. Allen was not a lonely man but rather appreciated his alone time. 

     He worked several jobs over the years such as a construction site laborer, truck driver, and even a ditch digger, and at one time held a position here in Sidney as a Press Assistant for the Sidney Telegraph newspaper. 

     He was a friendly guy but would let you know if you were in the wrong, he always offered his friendship to those down on their luck or in hard times. This part of his personality will be fondly remembered.

     His mother would say he was respectful of his elders, and a fierce protector of those he held dear. If he loved you, you knew it. His last selfless act was to provide a home for his friend and serve as a surrogate-dad to her son, affectionately known as his little buddy. They loved, adored and cared for Allen, without condition. He loved them immeasurably, in return. I know he will be an angel hovering over them for life.

     He was a million things and more to those who loved him and, in the end, that’s all that matters. He will always be cherished by his loved ones as he will be remembered as that little boy who persevered through more than most could ever endure. The last few months of his life were tough, but he held on to his life, as he did throughout this journey here on Earth as best, he knew how. 

     "Don't allow anybody to make you feel that you are nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance." 

Allen posted this on his social media page, months back. I know we all could learn a thing or two about these words spoken so eloquently, by Martin Luther King.

     God has him in his hands, and he is in our hearts, forever. So off you go, Allen, rest in eternal peace. We will love and miss you, until the very moment when we will see you again, fully restored.