Allen "Al" Buchanan

Memorials can be made to the First Congregational Church of Algona, 315 S. Moore St., Algona, Iowa 50511. Allen Knowles Buchanan was born on January 2, 1918, to Glenn Sherman Buchanan and Edith J. (Russell) Buchanan in Canova, South Dakota. He lived most of his life in Iowa, spending his childhood in Tama and most of his adult life in Algona, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Noma Wiuff on May 17, 1942, in Atlantic, Iowa. Al loved the outdoors and was involved in conservation before it became fashionable. He loved to fish, hunt, camp, watch and photograph birds and wildflowers, and to work his vegetable garden. He enjoyed watching sports, especially the Hawkeyes, and playing golf. He was a wonderful father and husband, diligent provider and great role model. Al co-founded Buchanan Abstract Company with his father and owned the company until his retirement. He was the Executive Secretary of the Iowa Land Title Association for many years and was active in the American Land Title Association. He was known in the State of Iowa as Mr. Abstractor. Al had a strong commitment to the community serving 44 years on the Board of the Algona Municipal Utilities and...[more]

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s Chairman of the Board for 39 years. Allen was a founding member of the Kossuth County Conservation Board and was instrumental in the establishment of Smith Lake and the Stinson Prairie. He was a longtime member of the Algona Rotary Club, having served in many offices in the Club, and was also a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a dedicated member of First Congregational Church of Algona UCC for over 80 years, serving in many leadership capacities, including chairing the building project for the Fellowship Hall. He was the recipient of the second Founders Day Heritage Award for outstanding service to the community. Allen Knowles Buchanan went to be with his Creator on Monday, January 9, 2012, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona. He was 94. He is survived by his wife of 69-1/2 years, Noma, and their three children: Glenn (Eunice) of Willmar, MN, and their children, Chad Buchanan and Erin Texeira; Gregg (Julie) of Algona, and their children, Meredith Hines and Geoff Buchanan; and Lynn Lautenschlager (Skip) of Salem, VA, and their children, Andy and Mike Lautenschlager. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren and a brother, Russ Buchanan and his wife Virginia, as well as, many nieces and nephews.