Allan E. Stokes

Our beloved father, husband, grandfather and friend, Allan Edward Stokes, 77, passed away on May 2, 2026 after a prolonged battle with cancer. He is survived by his sister, Karen Lee Adema; beloved wife, Marilyn Stokes (nee Scavo); daughter, Emily; son, Nathan; stepson, Lucas Erickson; and many grandchildren who loved their Papa Al/Grandpa.

Born September 29, 1948 as the youngest child to William Joseph Stokes and Dorothy Jean Stokes (nee Westberg) in Chicago, Illinois, Allan excelled academically at Bloom Township High School before ultimately finding his way to Drake University. Deciding to adopt Des Moines as his new home, Allan began a long career in government service after college - the majority of which was spent with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources before he ultimately retired as a dedicated professional in the pork industry.

Somewhere along the way he ran across a feisty gal Doreen Erickson (nee Bittner) from Escanaba, Michigan and decided to settle down with her and her precocious son, Lucas. Within two years they welcomed son Nathan and daughter Emily, and embarked on a 33-year journey of fun and joy doting on their children before Doreen’s untimely passing. In the meantime, Allan became the adored father-in-law to Tiffany Erickson (nee Shear) and Shannon Stokes (nee Haley) and the ever-corny Papa Al to Lucas and Tiffany’s children Margaret Frances Erickson, Lucas Matthew Erickson II, and Josephine Pearl Erickson.

Luckily, Allan later found a second love of his life in Marilyn and re-married in 2017. In their nearly 10 years together, Allan and Marilyn travelled the country, found new hobbies, and debated who was the better cook. Allan also endeared himself to Marilyn’s large Italian extended family, her three children, Dean Andrew (Denise) Hennesy, Kristi Jo (Jeff) Palmer (nee Hennesy), and Angela Marie Stewart (nee Hennesy); and her grandchildren, Alyssa Nicole Hennesy, Payton Michelle Hennesy, Chance Christopher Palmer, Declan Brian Stewart, Sean Marie Stewart, and Fletcher Andrew Stewart.

To all of the above and many more, Allan was a man of unparalleled kindness, dad humor and integrity. He was a man of profound faith who served his faith as a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus and acted as a Mass coordinator. He will be sorely missed by the scores of people that he encountered along the way, and we will all find ourselves fondly remembering his warm smile and missing his even warmer heart.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, May 7, 2026 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 8 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 1200 S. Warrior Lane in Waukee, IA with burial at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, IA.

Memorial contributions may be directed to EveryStep Hospice in loving memory of Allan and condolences expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

The family would like to thank EveryStep Hospice for the wonderful care that was provided to Allan.

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