Jenny Petersen

The life of Jenny Petersen is a lesson in perseverance, resiliency, and abiding love. Life was not without struggle for Jenny, but she found solace in putting pen to paper while leaving behind the quiet whispers of her innermost of her heart. Jenny was a bit of a free spirit who touched the hearts of so many along her life’s journey. With what would seem to be the best years of her life still to come, Jenny’s voice was silenced much too soon. Although her family and friends will miss her dearly, they will forever cherish the good times they shared together.

When thinking back on the decade of the seventies, our minds conjure up images of mood rings, lava lamps, station wagons, and bellbottom pants. This was the decade that saw the breakup of The Beatles, the death of Elvis Presley, and new music talents such as Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin. Movies like The Godfather, Grease, and Saturday Night Fever, entertained us while kids everywhere were mesmerized by playing video games on their own televisions with the explosion of Atari. Amidst this unprecedented time there was much to celebrate in one young family from Kalamazoo, Michigan, since they were pleased to announce the birth of a healthy baby girl on April 29, 1977. Jenny Lynn was welcomed into the arms of her loving parents, Dennis and Karen Petersen, and was the middle of three children in her family including her older brother, Cary, and her younger brother, Jason. She was raised in the family home in Plainwell where life was usually a bustle of activity. Jenny’s father worked in the paper mill in Parchment for 28 years until they closed, and he then became a carpenter. In addition to caring for her family, Jenny’s mother worked as a teacher.

Jenny was a vibrant young girl who was very active in a variety of things. She was a Brownie, played AYSO soccer, took both tap and jazz, and did some modeling in middle school. Jenny also was involved in many activities at the local Assembly of God church. There were always plenty of pets around the Petersen home including their dog, Queenie, several cats: Fila, Bandit, and Jewel, and they even had horses for a time. Jenny loved to ride – so much so that there were times that she would disappear, only to be found out riding bareback some time later. Fun-filled family times were had while they were camping. In fact, it was while their family was camping in Northern Michigan that Jenny met her first crush, a boy named Harold.

For her education, Jenny attended local schools including Plainwell High School. She eventually earned her GED. It was also during this time that Jenny had her first job working at a local Hot ‘N Now. Usually, Jenny’s mother took her back and forth to work.

From a young age Jenny was interested in the field of cosmetology. Her younger brother was often the lucky “recipient” of her budding dreams as Jenny frequently dressed him up and put makeup on him. After high school this lifelong dream came to fruition when Jenny took classes in cosmetology. There is much to learn in this field, however, as Jenny’s mother learned firsthand. While practicing on her mother, Jenny made a mistake which left Karen missing a bit more hair than either had bargained for!

One of the brightest parts of Jenny’s life was becoming a mother to her five children: Aliyah Nicole Petersen, Madison Shay Petersen, Brianna Lynn Petersen, her son Dante who was stillborn, and then a baby boy who was delivered via cesarean section just before Jenny passed away.

There were times when life was so hard for Jenny, and sometimes she battled with drugs, too. With hopes of getting well and living a clean life, she worked hard toward achieving that goal through the years. It was while at a long term rehabilitation facility that Jenny came down with the flu, which turned into pneumonia and later, a staph infection. She was hospitalized and fought hard to recover while cherishing the time she had to spend with her family. Sadly, her body could no longer overcome the war that raged against it and she drew her last breath.

As we reflect on the life of Jenny Petersen, it is important to see that she was so much more than a young woman who battled with addictions. She was a loving mother, a beloved daughter and sister, and a colorful young woman who longed to live a full life. Jenny loved burning up the dance floor, spending time with her family, and sorting out her feelings through writing poetry. With so much life left to live, Jenny leaves behind treasured loved ones who will miss her dearly.

Jenny Petersen died on April 2, 2011. Please visit Jenny’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book online, and make a memorial donation to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission or The American Cancer Society. A private funeral service has taken place. Arrangements made by Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell; 120 S. Woodhams St.