Brenda Eschen

Brenda Kathryn Eschen, 68, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away with the love of her life, Jeff, by her side in her home in Phoenix, Arizona on Monday night, April 13, 2026, after a heartbreaking and painfully difficult battle with breast and bone cancer. Let’s pray in the future that they find a cure for this terrible disease.

Visitation: 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein.
Prayer Service: 3:00 P.M. Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein with Rev. Randy Baldwin officiating.
Graveside Service and Interment: 10:30 A.M. Friday, May 1, 2026, at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, rural Oelwein, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers: Please donate to the American Cancer Society.
Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Brenda Kathryn Eschen was born on July 20, 1957, in Schoitz Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa, to her parents: Victor Allen & LaVonne Clara (Chase) Eschen of Cedar Falls, Iowa. She grew up in Decorah and Sumner, Iowa. Brenda graduated from Sumner High School in 1976. Following high school, she worked for John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa. In 1982, Brenda relocated to Chino Valley, Arizona and worked at Yavapai Hospital in housekeeping. In 1983, she met her life partner, Jeff Billington in Prescott, Arizona and they moved to Boise, Idaho. Later, they moved to Arkansas then back to Phoenix, Arizona. Brenda worked for many health care facilities in the housekeeping department. She retired from Bethesda Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona.

Brenda had a love of the ocean and music. She enjoyed having many pets. Brenda loved to swim, ride her bike and go on nature walks. She especially loved strawberries.

Brenda is survived by her Mother: LaVonne Proctor of Oelwein, Iowa; Sister: Darcey Carolan of Prescott, Arizona; Brother: Wayne Eschen of Sheboygan, Wisconsin and her Life Partner: Jeff Billington of Phoenix, Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her Father: Victor A. Eschen; her Step-Father: Mearle J. Proctor; her Brother: Brian G. Eschen and Jeff Billington’s Daughter, Amy Billington.