Vanessa L. Allen, 30, of Superior, formerly of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, died surrounded by her family, unexpectedly and suddenly, Sunday, March 20, 2016, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center, Duluth.

She was born June 17, 1985 in Duluth, MN, daughter of Douglas and Diane (Gokey) Allen.

Vanessa was a 2003 graduate of Superior High School. While in high school she lettered in volleyball, softball, basketball and cheerleading. She was also a cheerleader at UWS and University of Minnesota-Morris. After college, she coached cheerleading at Superior High School.

She was an avid University of North Carolina Tarheels basketball fan and Green Bay Packer football fan.

For 8 years, Vanessa worked as a restaurant manager for the Chapel Hill Restaurant Group while living in North Carolina. When she moved back to Superior, she worked as the restaurant manager for Tavern on the Hill, Duluth.

Preceding her in death were her maternal grandparents, Gregory and Betty Gokey; paternal grandparents, Charles, Sr. and Alice Allen; and uncles, Charles and Daniel Gokey, and Stephen Peterson.

Survivors include her parents, Douglas and Diane Allen, Superior; sister, Dena Allen, Superior; several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends here and in North Carolina.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, March 24, 2016 at Downs Funeral Home, 1617 N. 19th Street, Superior, and will resume at 10 until the 11 a.m. service Friday at Bethel Lutheran Church, 5821 John Avenue, Superior. Reverend Gary Garnatz will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Peterson, Lance Peterson, Brent Peterson, Gabe Gokey, Jesse Rask and Ross Vnuk.