Jill (Egan) Birkenholtz
Jill Marie (Egan) Birkenholtz, 47, of Carlisle passed away peacefully at her home Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Funeral Mass was held Friday, October 4 at Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carlisle, followed by interment at Hartford Cemetery, Hartford. At Jill’s request, memorials are being directed towards her children’s college savings accounts.
Jill was born in Waukon July 14, 1977 to her loving parents, Gary and Cindy Egan. Jill spent her entire childhood in Waukon, graduating from Waukon High School in 1995. Her fondest memories growing up included tagging along with her siblings to mom and dad’s softball games, spending time at the farm with her cousins (which often involved playing ball with those cousins) and playing cards with family. Jill played softball and basketball through high school, and her teammates and coaches have been lifelong friends.
Jill went on to attend Central College in Pella, where she majored in education and participated in softball. She would spend her summers back in Waukon coaching youth softball and for years following would get so excited when she would see former players all grown up. While at Central she met Eric Birkenholtz. They would soon be engaged and after graduation in 1999 they moved to Marion. Jill and Eric were married July 29, 2000 in Waukon and there are still stories being told about their dance and reception.
Jill volunteered as a faith formation teacher for her church and worked at a physical therapy clinic in Cedar Rapids. In July of 2004 Jill began her dream job, being a Mom. Jill and Eric welcomed their first child, Brady. In 2008 they moved to Des Moines where they fell in love with their neighbors, with Jill and the other moms calling themselves the “hood rats”.
In August that same year Breckan joined the family. Their family was then complete in August of 2012 when Callan arrived. Jill and Eric then moved their family into Carlisle in 2017 and have resided there ever since.
Jill’s greatest accomplishment and legacy will forever be her children: Brady, Breckan and Callan. There is nothing more she enjoyed than being their mom. From hauling them back and forth to sports/activities, taking silly selfies, dancing and making their favorite recipes in the kitchen together, or just simply snuggling, she cherished every one of those moments. You can see bits of her in each of them. With 14 nieces and nephews, being Aunt Jill was a title Jill was also very proud of. She deeply loved each of them.
Jill had an infectious spirit that could light up any room. She was known for her warm laughter, crazy sunglasses, flip flops any time of the year, and an unparalleled ability to make everyone feel welcome and cherished. She had a remarkable talent for turning ordinary moments into lifelong memories, and always finding ways to bring people together.
From the moment of her ovarian cancer diagnosis, Jill faced the disease with remarkable bravery and determination. She was not just a patient; she became a warrior. Her positive attitude, humor, and grace in the face of adversity has inspired many during their own battles and reminded us all how we should live our lives. Jill courageously battled the disease for nearly five years but never allowed the disease to define her or break her spirit. With unwavering optimism and resilience, Jill faced each challenge with grace and determination.
Jill is survived by her husband, Eric, and their kids, Brady, Breckan and Callan of Carlisle; her parents, Gary and Cindy Egan of Waukon; her mother-in-law, Janna Birkenholtz of Pleasant Hill; her sister, Jody (Jeremy) Mohwinkle, and their kids, Ryan, Hayden, Landon, Harper and Hadley of Carlisle; her brother, Chad (Katie) Egan, and their kids, Dylan, Isabella, Delaney and Kinnick of Des Moines; her sister, Keri (Brandon) Ghelf, and their kids, Ellie, Kamryn and Jadyn of De Soto, WI; her brother-in-law, Todd (Jenny) Birkenholtz, and their kids, Mckayla (Jacob) Peake and Keller of Altoona; her grandmother, Mary Wachter of Harpers Ferry; and she will also be missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Jill was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Stephen Birkenholtz of Newton; her paternal grandparents, John and Myrtle Egan of Harpers Ferry; her maternal grandfather, James Wachter of Harpers Ferry; her uncles, Joe Wachter of Harpers Ferry and Glenn Wachter of Harpers Ferry; her aunt, Catherine Rose of Monona; her uncle, Jim Egan of Harpers Ferry; her aunt, Joni Egan of Monona; and her aunt, Junella Yoder, Newton.
Online condolences may be made at www.petersonfuneralservice.com.
