Allen Levern Ross, 88, of Moorhead, MN, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 18, 2026.

Born in Fargo on February 1, 1938, to Roy and Gladys Ross, Allen grew up alongside his sister Donna and attended Oak Grove Lutheran High School. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Music from Central Bible Institute and completed additional studies in Guidance and Counseling at both Moorhead State University and North Dakota State University.

Allen married the love of his life, Patricia Malandro, on June 6, 1959, after their years together at CBI. Their partnership was marked by devotion, resilience, and a shared faith that carried them through life’s greatest joys and deepest losses. Their marriage spanned 67 years, ending with Allen’s passing.

For more than 30 years, Allen taught math and music in the Long Prairie, MN, and Fargo, ND school systems. He was a gifted educator whose passion for music and belief in its power to uplift others shaped generations of students. His musical talents extended into church life, where he served as organist, choir director, and board member at Fargo First Assembly of God. He also performed with the regional “Liberators Quartet,” inspiring many through song.

Allen’s creativity found another outlet in photography. “Allen Ross Photography” became a well‑known name in the Fargo area, capturing weddings, portraits, and aerial images after he earned his pilot’s license. His work continues to live on in the cherished photographs held by countless families. After Allen officially retired, he still desired to help people on a daily basis. This led him to accept a position with Community Living Services, where he would assist people that needed assistance due to disability or illness. This was not just employment to him, but an extension of his life’s calling to show empathy to others any way he could.

Those who knew Allen will remember the small deck of index cards he kept in his shirt pocket—always ready to capture an idea, invention, melody, or thought worth exploring. His mind was endlessly curious, and his heart was unfailingly kind. Despite hardships and losses no family should have to bear, Allen’s gentle spirit, generosity, and unwavering faith never dimmed. Allen had a particularly soft spot in his heart for Duane, his son born with a mental handicap. Allen and Pat cared for Duane with endless patience and tender care until Duane passed too young at age 48. But we recall Allen’s ability to comfort and entertain Duane. Socks would become puppets in an instant, and Duane’s dear father knew exactly how to connect with his son at an instinctive level.

Allen is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children, David and Linda; his sister, Donna; seven grandchildren; and five great‑grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his sons, Jeffrey and Duane.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00, Tuesday the 23rd of June, 2026 at Hanson‑Runsvold Funeral Home in Fargo, with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Fargo, where he will be laid to rest near his mother and sons. All are welcome to attend a prayerful service at this dear man’s resting place following the service.

We rejoice in knowing that Allen is now whole, at peace, and reunited with loved ones in heaven.