Jennifer L. (Birch) Smart, 51, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on October 4, 2024, at UnityPoint Health, Finley Hospital after a courageous battle of stage 4 Melanoma Cancer.

Visitation for Jennifer will be on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road.

She was born on September 10, 1973, in Dubuque, Iowa the daughter of Richard and Sandra (Schlarmann) Birch. She graduated from Hempstead High School in Dubuque and went on to receive her master’s in forensic psychology. She went on to work for the State of Michigan as a DHS worker.

Jennifer:  joyous, smart, amazing, beautiful, incredibly strong, and selfless; these are just a few of the words to best describe Jenny, the list is endless. Anyone who knew Jenny knew she was a one in a lifetime person. Although her family didn’t always agree with her love of Michigan, family was everything to her… “Go Blue”

She is survived by her parents, Dick and Sandy Birch; her brother Kevin Birch and her sister Amber (Brian) Galle. A nephew Brandon (Grace) Birch; three nieces, Jayda (Sawyer) Galle, Aaliyah Galle, and Taylor (Charlie) Birch. Her stepson Uriah Smart and grandson Cadence Smart. 

She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Eugene and Imelda Schlarmann and her paternal grandparents LeRoy and Rita Birch along with her uncle Steve Birch.

The family wishes to thank the nursing staff at Finley, especially Julie, Amber and Diane for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers a Jennifer Smart memorial fund will be established.