Allen Max Kabanuk, age 94, of Shorewood and Brooklyn Center, passed away on October 20, 2025.

Allen was born in Max, North Dakota on April 8, 1931 raised on a farm near Minot North Dakota. His love of the Minot, Max area has been a constant in his life. After graduation, he joined the Air Force and spent four years 1949-1953 in San Antonio Texas. He was married on December 26, 1950 to his high school sweetheart, Wilma Bunker. Allen attended Minot State College after his service. Allen graduated and moved to Harvey North Dakota to begin his first teaching job at Harvey High School (1958-1962)He enjoyed working as Newspaper advisor and assisting Basketball coach. The family moved to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area in 1962 to provide Special Education for their son Mark. Allen continued his education receiving an additional degree in Special Education. Allen began teaching in Jordan Jr. High and Henry High School in various assignments. He began working as a Special Needs Coordinator and continued in this very beloved position for many years. He enjoyed working with the students and visiting local work sites like Dayton’s downtown. Allen also worked in Sears Shoe Department and was a driver’s education teacher for many years. His grandchildren remember his affinity for good fitting shoes and was known to buy shoes for them on many occasions! 

Allen had many interests and hobbies. Woodworking, country music, trains, cars, airplanes, and mowing the lawn. One of his loves was building their cabin in Cross Lake with family, mostly his son Brad. He and his wife Wilma enjoyed an occasional trip to Las Vegas and later in life Mystic Lake Casino where he was considered unbelievably lucky at times. Their trips back home to Minot were treasured. 

His love for his family was his greatest joy. Nothing brought more joy to his life.  He adored his grandchildren. He told us stories of his childhood, his beloved horse Blackie, his Indian motorcycle, and farming. As a father he taught us to work hard, be honest, be trustworthy and kind. He taught us the meaning of a good life enjoying the simple things… flowers, freshly mowed grass, bowling and homemade soup. His favorite pie was sour cream raisin, and loved maple nut ice cream. His favorite song was ‘On the Wings of a Dove’. He added three teaspoons of sugar in his coffee and would remind us, “Money doesn’t grow on trees”. 

We are so proud of him. He showed us what integrity, kindness and honor means. He will be in our hearts forever. He will be missed. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 75 years, Wilma A. (Bunker); their daughter, Julie (Wells), married to Brad, and their children Jessica (Baker)and husband Greg, daughter Emma, and their son Jameson and wife Katie,  daughter Hazel and son Bridger; their son Bradley, married to Maureen, and their children Max and Grace. He is also survived by his sister in law, Darlene Bunker, his brother Dennis, his sister in law Carol, his sister Shirley, his brother in law Loren, and many nieces and nephews.

He is  preceded in death by his parents, Max and Hazel Kabanuk, his beloved son Mark, his infant son, his brothers, Art, Donald, Peter, Edward, Ernest; his sisters, Marlys, Martha, and niece Kay.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Monday May 4th at Edina Cremation Society 7110 France Avenue South, Edina MN. Visitation 10:00 a.m.Service at 10:30 a.m. , reception to follow. Burial at Ft. Snelling at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in Allen’s name.

The family would like to thank the staff at Goldfinch Memory Care of Fairmont MN for their compassionate care during the past 5 years.