Jamie Reneé (Allen) Birkness

Jamie Reneé (Allen) Birkness, age 54, formerly of Marshalltown, passed away from a sudden battle with kidney cancer on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the Grundy Care Center.

Per Jamie’s wishes, cremation rites have taken place. A Celebration of Jamie's Life will be held from 4:00 until 10:00 PM on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 1033 Taylor Ave., Conrad, IA. From 4:00 until 7:00 PM, there will be time to share memories and a meal and from 7:00 until 10:00 PM, there will be a bonfire and beverages. Please check Jamie's Tribute Wall on www.mitchellfh.com for a flyer with more information.

Jamie was born on August 22, 1969, in Marshalltown, the daughter of Richard Merle Allen Jr. and Carol Lynn (Jackson) Allen, the 1st of 3 children. On December 30, 1992, Jamie was united in marriage with Christopher Scot Birkness in Marshalltown. She graduated from Buena Vista University the following year.

Jamie was a stay-at-home mom and had her own in-home daycare. The highlight of her life was being a mom and grandma, but she was there to encourage all of her family. Jamie was known as the fixer, the problem solver, the glue of the family. She was everyone’s biggest supporter and a phone call away for some advice and a laugh.

Jamie loved butterflies, windchimes, watching Paranormal Activity and true crime shows, and a good sale! She enjoyed thrifting and garage sales, as she said, “junking”, with her husband. Jamie was a foodie, always up to try something new. She also loved playing card games with her family: SkipBo, Pepper, Cribbage, Phase10 and Rummy, just to name a few.

Jamie was preceded in death by her mom, Carol Galloway and numerous family members she is now reunited with. She is survived by her father, Richard M. Allen Jr.; husband, Chris of Houston, TX; children, Matthew Allen (Jourdan Bell), Tyler Birkness (Nicole), Braden (Hope) Birkness and Breanna (Gerardo) Perez; grandchildren, Kaden and Isabella Birkness, Mason and Alaina Perez and Eli Birkness. She is also survived by her sister, Ann Allen; brother, Richard Allen III; niece and nephews, Richard Allen IV, Jackson Opperman and Savannah Opperman.

Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. To leave online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.