Covenant pastor Alison Wiens Randall passed away from cardiac arrest on February 23, 2025. She was 59.
Alison Kay Wiens Randall was born to Rev. John and Alice (White) Wiens in Worcester, Massachusetts, on October 5, 1965, joining older sister, Colleen, in the family home. She was baptized as an infant at nearby Salem Covenant Church in February 1966. Another sister, Laurel, would be born two years later, and the family moved to Hinsdale, Illinois, in 1968, where her father served as pastor of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Alison graduated from Hinsdale High School in 1983 and attended North Park University in Chicago, Illinois. She spent several summers working at both Covenant Harbor Bible Camp in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and Covenant Point Bible Camp in Hagerman Lake, Michigan. She participated in a mission trip to Haiti and Mexico, which gave her the opportunity to serve others. She graduated with honors from North Park in 1987, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in English literature.
Alison felt the call to ministry and entered North Park Theological Seminary in the fall of 1987, where she continued to hone her academic and preaching skills. She served her year of internship with Jesus People in Chicago as she worked alongside people in need. She earned her master’s of divinity in 1991, graduating as the class valedictorian. She was ordained by the Evangelical Covenant Church in 1993 and served as minister of youth outreach at Berkeley Covenant Church in Berkeley, California. She also served on staff of another Covenant church in San Diego, before entering the secular workplace.
In 2001 Alison moved to Columbus, Ohio, to be closer to her sisters. While in Columbus, she met and married David Randall, who became the love of her life. Together they formed a new home in the house that he owned in German Village.
Alison is remembered as a bright, curious, funny, athletic and caring person. She was laid back, friendly, and compassionate, an excellent student. She was a woman of faith who enjoyed hiking, walking, writing, reading, and trying to make the world a kinder, more practical, and wiser place to live. She appreciated all kinds of musical genres and enjoyed complex discussions over a variety of subjects. She loved animals and cared deeply about God’s creation.
Alison was preceded in death by her parents, John and Alice Wiens. She is survived by her husband, Dave Randall; sisters, Colleen Heintzelman (Tim) and Laurel Wrobbel (Joel); nieces, Moriah Schodorf (Kevin), Rachel Wrobbel, and Carissa Wrobbel-Downs (Matthew); nephews, Micah Heintzelman (MacKenzie) and Joshua Heintzelman (Liza); aunts, Roberta Carlson (Ron), Helen Wiens, and Esther Wiens; and cousins, Dan Carlson (Gina), Sara Davidson (Peter), Melissa Carlson, and Mike Carlson; and many dear friends and loved ones.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army.
Peace be to her memory.
