Brenda Renee Montgomery, 56 of Maquoketa, Iowa, an undoubtedly loved and wonderful daughter, sister, mother, aunt, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home on September 21, 2024, surrounded by her loving family after a 2.5 year battle with Appendiceal Cancer.

Brenda Renee (Clark) Montgomery was born on April 18, 1968, in Maquoketa, IA to Cletus and Patricia (Andrle) Clark. She was a 1986 Maquoketa High School graduate.

She was employed at many places throughout her younger adult life, including Pacific Coast Feather Factory, Jackson County Regional Hospital Kitchen, Wal-Mart, KJs, Comfort Inn, Generac, and Car Freshener. She also ran an in-home daycare for many years. During her last years of employment, Brenda became a full-time caretaker for her late husband, Brit. She also played the role of a full-time grandmother and was an employee of the Maquoketa Speedway. Through all of these positions, she formed long-lasting friendships with those she cared for.

Brenda met her first husband, Mike Griffin, during her teenage years. They married on October 12, 1996. With their union, they had two wonderful children, Amanda and April. They enjoyed many outdoor activities together such as hunting and fishing. After 14 years of marriage, they mutually parted ways in life.

On August 30, 2014, Brenda married the love of her life, Brit Montogomery. They enjoyed doing the most together, especially working at the racetrack, traveling, camping, motorcycle rides, joking around, and enjoying family and friend’s company. Together, they welcomed a furbaby named Lillyanna “Lilly” into their lives.

Brenda will be remembered for her love of baking, deep passion for Dirt Track Racing, sarcasm, sense of humor, and stubbornness, as well as her caring and compassionate nature towards her friends, family, and especially her grandkids. She shared her love for the racetrack with her grandkids, enjoyed baking cakes, cookies, and pies for anyone, and participated in driving in the Powder Puff race and Night of Destruction bus race, even though she did flip the bus at one time. She loved taking her grandkids to the movies and buying also them candy when they didn’t need it. She also loved to travel, especially to visit her brothers in Texas, always stopping at Padre Island. Not only was she an amazing mother to Amanda, April, and Kenny, but she was also a mother figure to anyone who would allow it. Her love was deep and compassionate and extended for miles.

In the last few years of her life, Brenda always expressed that she was most grateful for the time she spent with all of her children, grandchildren, siblings, her nephew and groundskeeper, Kevin, and the late-night conversations with her sister-in-law, Sara.

Though Brenda’s time with us here was brief, Brenda always lived with hope in her heart, living each day to its fullest. There was not one day that went by that Brenda didn’t say or show her love to those around her.

Brenda and her family would like to express their gratitude to all friends and family who have visited over the past few years. Brenda would also like to give a special thank you to Sandy for every massage given, Kathy Zeimet and Debbie Beckstrom for spending the night with her, Melissa Culbertson for her support and strength during her hardest times, and especially to Hospice of Jackson County for the compassionate care they provided to all of us over the last month.

Those left to honor Brenda’s memory include her children, Amanda (Kenny) Schmidt of Bryant, IA, and April Griffin of Tipton, IA; 4 grandchildren, Keylee, Vayda, and Rhyker Schmidt and Oaklee Christiansen; her parents, Cletus and Patricia Clark of Maquoketa, IA; and siblings, Jeff (Julie) Clark of Georgetown, TX, Debra Clark of Davenport, IA, Pam (Joe) Yarolem of Maquoketa, IA, Corey (Sara) Clark of Jarrell, TX, and Trent (Kim) Clark of Maquoketa, IA. Sister-in-law Angel (late Jim) Schiffer, Brother-in-laws Bart, and Brad Montgomery, and Matthew Potter; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, sister Teresa Jane Clark, former husband Mike Griffin, and her husband Brit Montgomery.

A gathering of family and friends celebrating her life will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.  Cremation rites have been accorded.  A private graveside service and burial for both Brenda and her late husband Brit will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Maquoketa.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Brenda R. Montgomery memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.