Jennifer "Jeni" Kay Bleich

Everyone in Jennifer "Jeni" Bleich's life was captivated by her dynamic personality. She was known for her boundless energy, and her warm, giving heart; she always found something in life to be excited about. Jeni had an abundance of enthusiasm and a love for life that she shared openly with the world. Jennifer Kay Bleich was born in Muskegon, Michigan, on April 7, 1987, to proud parents, David and Kim Bleich. Shortly after her arrival, Jeni's older brother, Jason, came to the hospital to visit his new "little sister" with his grandmother. Kim adoringly remembers how her "little man" came in wearing corduroy pants and sport coat, carrying a stuffed animal he picked out for his baby sister, and in that moment everything was perfect. Life in the Bleich household wasn't exactly quiet and peaceful once baby Jeni came home. She had a rough start with jaundice and she cried quite a lot throughout the day. Kim had pacifiers everywhere in the house so that when a crying bout came she could use them to help soothe little Jeni. It was later found that Jeni's crying was due to ear infections and she eventually got tubes in her ears to alleviate the pain. After this, Jeni was a much happier baby. She and her brother Jason were always very close and filled their home with much love, laughter and arguments growing up. Jason fondly remembers how Jeni would don her mom's high-heeled shoes when she was little and the clomping noise those oversized shoes made on the floor. After Kim and David's 13-year marriage ended, Kim, Jason and Jeni looked to each other for support and comfort through those difficult times. Kim worked as a registered nurse and through the merger of Mercy and General Hospitals, in Muskegon, she came to meet the love of her life, Doug Fenbert. The couple first met in January of 1997, just around Super Bowl time. Doug asked Kim and her children to come to a Super Bowl party, and a wonderful relationship began to blossom between them all. It wasn't long before they were truly a family when Doug and Kim were married in July 1997, with Jason and Jeni by their sides. Along with the newlyweds, the children were ready to get on with their new life as a family, in a new house and in a new school. Kim said it felt that "the piece of the puzzle that was missing in their lives" was now in place and what a beautiful picture it was! Jeni just told her grandmother a few weeks ago that she felt Doug was like a real father to her and looked to him as a father figure. In many ways, Jeni was definitely a typical teenage girl. From swift moving mood swings and short attention spans to the infamous eye rolling, Jeni made life for her family difficult at times. It wasn't because she was a bad person, she was just very headstrong and wanted things done her way and when she wanted them. She was all about the crisis and drama. So much so, that Jeni even put "soundtracks" together to highlight what was going on her life. Just as in the movies, where music furthers along the dramatic action, Jeni would put together compilation CDs that enhanced her mood - whether good or bad, happy or sad! Jeni learned to put her "energy" to better use and pursued being an athlete. She played soccer in her younger years and became a cheerleader in high school. Jeni also took up volleyball and track, the latter a sport her family said she was well suited for because she had "lightening legs." Her mom would often remind her to be safe when she went out, but Jeni always said that she knew how to run fast and scream loud. When it came time for Jeni to drive, Doug got her a 2000 Chevy Cavalier, which truly had a rough road ahead. Jeni's first "bang up" happened during the first week of school in the parking lot, and not long after that she had another accident while on her cellular phone. Her brother Jason witnessed one of her more serious accidents, which landed her an ambulance ride and a trip to the hospital. Thankfully, she came out fine. By the time Jeni graduated from high school, Doug and Jason were certain there was at least 450 pounds of bondo holding that car together. There was always a "special something" twinkling inside of Jeni. She had such a vibrant personality and a generous spirit that brightened many people's lives. It wasn't unusual to see Jeni give money to the homeless or even buy them a warm meal to eat. But Jeni was this way with everyone; she brought sunshine and smiles to scores of people throughout her life. In high school, Jeni took a Home Economics class and learned to sew. She loved it and started to sew a variety of projects but will be best remembered for all the boxers she created! She loved to give away the things she made and she made things with typical Jeni-style exuberance. Last Christmas, she made "Rice Socks" that keep your neck warm and cozy. Doug will never forget carrying 50 pounds of rice out of Sam's Club so Jeni could enthusiastically make sock after sock for everyone she loved, including the "new family" that had come into her life, the Sylva's. At the age of 18, Jeni met a young man named Myles Sylva. It wasn't too long before the two were engaged and began living together. Jeni enjoyed her newfound independence and having her own apartment. Her bright personality was soon reflected in the bright yellow wall in her living room, much like the vivid orange room she had as a child. It was during this time that Jeni's relationship with her mother took on a stronger, more intimate meaning - they became best friends. They loved to shop together, had their nails done regularly and talked on the phone daily. Although Kim loved their newfound close friendship, she always reminded Jeni that she was her mother first. A few months ago, Jeni and Myles realized they were too young to be married and called off their engagement. Although they went their separate ways, they remained good friends. Jeni was always very hard working and held her first job, scooping ice cream at Coney Island, before she was even 16. She later worked in a dental office, which proved to be too slow paced for her, so she took a job at Famous Dave's as a hostess. Her bubbly personality was just what this job required and she soon moved up to being a trainer. More recently, Jeni was working the 2nd and 3rd shift in the ER at Mercy Hospital which was also always exciting, while also attending Muskegon Community College, where she was studying to be a psychiatric nurse. Some people live long lives scattered here and there with triumphs and achievements. Others, like Jeni, are granted a short time on earth, but are able to fill every day of their lives with energy, life and love. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Jennifer Kay Bleich, age 19, died Saturday, September 9, 2006. She was born on April 7, 1987 in Muskegon, MI. She graduated from Orchard View High School where she was active in cheerleading and track. Jeni was attending Muskegon Community College to become a registered nurse and was employed at Mercy Hospital. She is survived by her Mother, Kim (Doug) Fenbert, Father, David Bleich, brother, Jason Bleich and half sister, Grace Bleich; Grandparents, Dennis and Shirley DeVries, Ed and Janet Bleich, Bill and Diane Phillippi, along with several cousins. Services will be held on Thursday, September 14,2006, 11:00 a.m. at 1st Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor William Uetricht officiating. The visitation is Wednesday, September 13, 2006 2:00-4:00 and 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. MEMORIAL: Every Woman's Place, Community Mental Health. 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