Jen was the neighbor with a new baby who strolled by my house one day with her mother-in-law. My mother happened to be visiting at the time and we both had to get a peek at Ari who was the cutest little newborn. Over the far too few years that passed I came to know more about Jen, her loving husband, beautiful boys, and darling persnickety cats. The neighborhood seems empty without them. I'm still struggling to understand why Jen's journey ended so abruptly but grateful for the time we traveled together. She had so much life and love, and more strength than should have been humanly possible. I grieve for Adam and the boys, but knowing that they are with their extended family gives me comfort and assurance that they will find the strength to journey on without the light of their life. I was blessed to know this remarkable young woman and she will resonate in my heart for a very long time.

For a few years in high school I ran with (tried to keep up with) Jen. She was an amazing person and an amazing runner, in that order. She had grace and strength and was so patient and kind. I was lucky enough to know her. To all her loved ones I am so very sorry for your loss.

To my Winnie Pooh. That's what I called her and I was her Kimmie Pooh




Sorry and excuse this last kind of long post. Writing is sometimes part of the grieving/healing process. I met Jen in 2000. We both had a few scholarship offers to go to out of state universities for track. We were definitely not trying to stay in Chicago due to the weather and to get out the house. Well we both chose uic. So on the first day of athletic orientation, Coach Knoedel and Moneika ( team captain rih another angel teammate gone too soon2012) introduced us. They were like Jenny this is Kim, Kim this is Jenny. He was like this is your roommate We were like,um ok..I knew it just wasn't going to work. We were complete opposites in everything. The only rule in the room was too keep your things on your side and I had my side I had the top bunk she had the bottom . Well that quickly changes
we shared everything About 2 weeks in, I realized this was meant to be and was bigger than myself. She was an angel. I instantly knew we were meant to meet. We laughed,cried,fought ,prayed, laughed.in that order. After a year our roomate contract was up and due to injury I wasn't able to finish the next season with the team. I was set on transferring to another universities and just finishing my studies.
God had other plans. We remained roommates for the next 3 years even while she had an amazing career and I focused on my studies. We were both each other's catalyst for everything. We were prayer partners and meditation partners. I just loved her so so much. We would tell each other we loved each other at the same time at night when we turned off the lights.
My dad would come see her at the meets just to watch her .he barely was watching me .he said wow who is that girl! Now she's a real athlete. She can run!. Lol I was like dad whatever .lol. he adopted her that day. She wore this sparkly eyeshadow .moneika would come to our room and braid her hair. One day she was sleep and I was on the top bunk. She. Ever slept in past me. She was alwayssss early. I saw a beautiful white light shining on her . I said my God .I introduced her and rich our other teammate. It was so nice. .her heart was so pure our souls just aligned for those 3 years.We would leave sticky notes on each other's desk after a small argument or just to encourage one another if we had a big exam coming or if she had a big track meet.
This is a poem I made for her

" Can I just have one more chance? Who's turn is it now?"
Who's turn is it now to turn off the light?
It's my turn now to have the bottom bunk bed
Is it my turn to say good night my winnie pooh or yours to say, ok Kimmie. I think it's your turn to grocery shop for the room.
It's your turn now to get a loaner key from the front desk because we are locked out.
You beat me at the 800 but I beat you at the 400
It's your turn now to rest easy mama.

My condolences to Mr and Mrs goebel, pete. Carrie my care bear.ari and the baby. Coach Marianne,coach Jim knoedel,coach margo,uic track and field family ,her highschool.

Life is but a vapor. It can change drastically in a moment. I was just on the phone talking to her for about an hour yesterday. The call dropped and she texted me and gave me her usual list of snacks she liked. I told her I was one with the snacks. And she asked to play volley ball like we usually do on bored days. I didn't realize the next few hours would be my last time talking to her. I knew in her voice months ago when she told me she was ok and I said no,no no . God knows what's best. I felt when she left. I went to the car and ironically the pearl jam cd she gave me a long time ago was playing on my radio. She still has my old phone that I left with her years ago that she never gave back to me with our picture album in it. Posting pictures are too painful at this point..
Cherish all the present moments. Things change fast . My condolences. My God. Mr.and Mrs goebel I will always be your other daughter. My family is with yours

I miss her already. Adam, Ari and Ethan you will always be in my heart and prayers. I hope to see you again from time to time and am available if you need anything. Love aunt Nancy

God bless you Adam. Reach out if you need anything.

Adam, I am so sorry. I am holding you, Ari, and Ethan dear to my heart. Jen, was an amazing mother and inspirational woman- strong, full of grace, one of the kindest souls with the happiest of smiles. I’ll always cherish our conversations about raising two young energetic boys and the play dates we had together.

Dear Adam, Ari, and Ethan ~ I will always remember your wife and mother as the kindest of sweethearts. It was a call to faithfulness for my family, friends, and me to hold her up in prayer during this hardest of journeys, and we now ask the Lord God to comfort you. Please know that Jen was, and you are, dearly loved by us.

I am so sorry. The world will miss the light that Jen brought all of us.

I am so sorry to hear of her passing. She was a beautiful spirit. Kind and loving person. You and your family are in my prayers.

Adam, I am breaking in half over this loss! I know she hung on as long as she could for you and the boys. I will miss her more than I can express. A little piece of me will be missing without her. Please reach out if I can help.
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