Jenifer Bender

Sending love and prayers to your family. Jenifer, you were a funny, spirited soul during my first years in Madison. From Mirabel Halloween parties to games of Hand and Foot with you and your sister, I always appreciated your friendship and kindness. I'm so sorry we couldn't visit more the last time I saw you. May you be at peace.

Hi, Gal, As I sat down to write this, it came to me just how seldom I write to you because we're together so much. What I want to tell you is just how very much you mean to me. I've always been very, very much in love with you, and although that's certainly very important to me, much more has grown from our time together. Every day, every meal, every shower, every hug, every laugh, every smile, every joke, every handhold, every flirt, every peek when you aren't looking, every gesture, every one of your kindnesses to me and others, every night, every everything about you is so pleasing to me. I love you. Michael

Our condolences to the Bender and Spahn families. I am writing this on behalf of my mother and syblings. We were neighbors of the Spahn family on Oak Street in the early 60's. We have numerous pleasant memories of Jenny and the family from those days. Playing in the park, birthday parties, just plain fun in the neighborhood. Janet (our mother), 'Bobby' (myself), Matthew, Mary, Lynn, Charles and Kathleen. (our father Walter had passed in 1997) THE FUMUSO's

Jenifer - You've been gone one week and my heart seems to break a little more each day, One week ago you gave me the last hug I will ever receive from you and I will have to remember it for the rest of my life. Had I known it was our last, I would have never let you go. I have loved you my entire life - I never knew until this week that I would miss you so much if you were gone. But, then, as you know, I have always missed you. From my first day in kindergarten when I refused to lay down on the mat unless you were there. My teacher had to pull you out of second grade to come and lay down with me. That continued for quite a while. We have done so many things together over the years. Most recently we took guitar lessons together; then we took a stained glass classes together. It was just two weeks ago that we decided we were going to take another stained glass class together at the end of summer. We would dress up for the Mirabel Halloween party every year - we even won a few times. We were best friends and confidants. And now I have a void in my life. I wish I could call you up and ask you to come over for a game of Hand and Foot. I would give anything to be able to do that. I wish I could ask you to go anywhere with me today - rather than go where I know I must later this afternoon. Dad and I talk several times a day, trying to ease each other's pain. But as I sit here crying, I know he is doing the same. He is typing a letter to you and crying. I know you didn't want to leave us this soon. And I know you would never have caused us such pain if it were avoidable. I wish I could go back to July 4th and change that day for you - but I can't. All I can do is go forward - with the memories.... People keep saying it will get easier - but I don't know how that will happen. I am trying to console myself with the knowledge that you are with Karen, mom, our grandparents, all of your cats and dogs that have gone before you. I know you will run into old friends in Heaven and you will be busy playing with animals whose owners haven't joined them yet. I will often look up to the heavens and talk to you, as I still do for Karen. I hope you know how much I have loved you my entire life. You will be in my heart forever. I love you and I will never forget you. I know you are at peace. Give Karen a hug for me. Until we meet again, you will always be with me - Love, your sister - Susan L. Spahn

My sympathy to Michael, Jared and the Spahn family. You were the best boss ever. I will never forget you and the fun we all had years ago. Truly an angel and I am so happy you lived an awesome life in Michael's arms all those years. Jackie Statz

Dear, dear Jen, I miss you so. I wonder, will the pain ever ease a bit? At times it is so consuming. I miss you so much. Could your pain have been as intense as what I feel at losing you? If so, dear, then it is easier to accept. How I wish that you had confided in me. How I wish that we'd had one more talk. I miss you so. It seems to be an accepted practice to say goodbye to lost loved ones, but I cannot. For me, you will never die. I will miss you and pray that you feel at peace and be pain free. I will see you again, dear, I miss you so. Love, Dad