Allen Joseph Tremel, age 76, passed away on July 2, 2026, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
Allen was born on February 11, 1950, to John and Delores (Stolz) Tremel. He was baptized and received his sacraments at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. He attended St. Joseph School in Earling until 1967 and graduated from Harlan Community High School in 1968.
After high school, Allen attended Universal Technical Institute, where he learned his trade as an auto body and paint specialist. He worked at Orv Roecker Ford in Harlan for 21 years. After leaving that field, he continued to use his automotive knowledge as an appraiser for Iowa Auto Damage Appraisers. He also served his community as a 911 dispatcher for the Harlan Emergency Management Center. Allen was also very proud of his service with the Iowa Army National Guard from 1970 to 1976.
When Allen met Carol Finken, he often said it was love at first sight. She was 14 and he was 16, and he knew that someday he would marry her. That day came on November 21, 1970. Together, Allen and Carol built a life filled with love, faith, music, friends, and family. They welcomed their son, Chad, in 1971 and their daughter, Erin, in 1976.
Allen grew up on a farm outside Earling, where music was a big part of his life. He taught himself to play guitar when he was 13 years old. He played in two bands during high school, inspired others to learn guitar, and loved jamming with friends and family. Some of his children’s fondest memories are of listening to Al play guitar and sing. He generously shared his musical gifts as a musician for many church services at St. Michael’s Catholic Church.
Allen played acoustic guitars for most of his life until Carol gifted him his first electric guitar in the early 2000s. He quickly fell in love with electric guitars and spent many years collecting, repairing, and playing dozens of them. Music remained one of the great joys of his life and a gift he shared freely with those around him.
Allen was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carol; his parents, John and Delores Tremel; and his in-laws, Howard and Mary Ellen Finken.
Left to cherish his memory are his son, Chad (Kathy) Tremel of Omaha, and their children, Kiley and Luke; daughter, Erin (Robert) Putnam of Lincoln, and their children, Schyler and Levi; his sisters, Joanie Stiner of Fremont and Karen (Larry) Gardner of Blair; brother, Jerry (Jane) Tremel of Dunlap; sisters-and brothers-in-law, Linda (Dave) Shanahan of Omaha, Ellen Greenway of Canby, Minnesota, Bill Finken of Davenport, John (Lori) Finken of Kansas City, and Nancy (Tom) Ernst of Lincoln; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, other beloved family members, and friends.
Allen will be remembered for his deep love of family and the Iowa Hawkeyes, his faith, his sense of humor even in the face of adversity, his pride in his service, and the joy he took in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He will also be remembered for the music he shared so generously with others. His songs, kindness, humor, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. Family will greet visitors at the church one hour before the service. Interment will be at Harlan Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at The Westside, where family and close friends will gather to remember a life well lived.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the family for the St. Michael’s music program in Allen’s name.
