Julie Marie Allen

SERVICES: 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 13, 2015 at United Methodist Church, Dow City, IowaVISITATION: From 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Pfannebecker Funeral Home, Denison, IowaBURIAL: Dow City Cemetery, Dow City, Iowa Julie Marie Thompson Allen was born April 6, 1962, the daughter of Judy Samuelson and Jim Thompson. She passed away Saturday, February 7, 2015 at her home in Dow City surrounded by loved ones. Julie was born in Denison, Iowa and raised in Dow City. She received her GED on October 12, 1984. She furthered her education receiving her nursing degree from Des Moines Area Community College in 1986. She really enjoyed her 28 years of nursing. She was blessed with 4 children: Matthew, Jason, Nicole, and Jarred, and 2 grandkids: Jordan and Bria. Once the kids were older, Julie moved to Colorado for a few years where she enjoyed the mountains and her horse Zoe. She enjoyed nights out with friends by going to watch professional bull riders. In 2011 Julie was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. She fought with all she had and beat it. Then, in February of 2014 she moved back home to Dow City to be with family once she learned her cancer had returned. Despite her now terminal illness, Julie was determined to live a strong, positive life. After all, she beat it once, and was prepared to do it again. Julie enjoyed watching “Saddle Up Saturday” with her cat of 16 years, Beads. Even when Julie was having a bad day she always found a way to make it better. She cherished her time with her kids and grandkids. She also enjoyed hours of shopping and looking her best, reading her Bibles, and she loved cooking and trying out new recipes. Julie was hard working, worked for everything she had, and took pride in being independent.  Her kids will always remember her strong will and loving personality. Julie was preceded in death by her grandparents: Mary and Noah Thompson, and Arnold and Edna Samuelson; nephew, Joshua Slechta, and many uncles, aunts and cousins. Left to cherish her memory are her mother Judy and father Jim; her stepfather Ken; 4 children: Matthew and wife Laura, Jason and girlfriend Cendall, Nicole and fiancé Kyle, and Jarred; 2 grandkids: Jordan and Bria; brothers: Gene and wife Rhonda, Dusty and wife Shelly; sister, Jody, and step-sister Deann and husband John; special friend Marilyn and many others.