A Niles couple whose triplet boys died shortly after birth late last year is on a mission to give back to the South Bend hospital that allowed them a chance to spend at least a few days with their tiny boys.

Lyle Unger’s wife, Jen, was only 23 weeks pregnant when she gave birth to triplet boys at South Bend Memorial Children’s Hospital on Dec. 9.

Baby Kenneth passed away

three days later on Dec. 12, while baby Liam died Dec. 15 and baby Lyle, III, on Dec. 20. Liam was just 1 pound, 1 ounce at birth, while Kenneth and Lyle were both 1 pound 4 ounces.

Jen said she and her husband are grateful for the short time they had with each of their boys.

“The only reason we got the time with them that we did is because of Memorial,” Jen said. “The doctors were amazing and the nurses were amazing. We owe so much to them.

“Our hearts are there now because they took such good care of our boys.”

Jen said she and her husband have been able to cope with the loss by setting goals.

One of those goals is to raise awareness and money for South Bend Memorial Children’s Hospital through the Hearts of Gold Walk.

The Ungers created a team in honor of their boys and will participate in the walk at University Park Mall Feb. 14.

People can help support the Ungers and Memorial Children’s Hospital in several ways, including by donating to their team — Team Triplet Ruckus — online at heartsofgoldwalk.org.

People can also help by presenting a special ticket at Wings Etc. in Niles on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of the bill to the Ungers’ team. Coupons have been dispersed at several businesses in Niles. People can also request a ticket by calling Jen at (269) 362-1854.

“We are doing this to honor our boys and to get the word out about how awesome the hospital was to them,” Jen said. “We also want to help make sure that children like our boys have the best care available to them and hopefully others won’t have to go through what we’ve gone through.”

Jen and Lyle also started a Facebook group dedicated to their boys at facebook.com/groups/TheUngers/.

Jen said that’s where they’ve been able to share their story — the good and the bad — with anyone who will listen.

“For me that is how I’ve been able to get through this, to be able to share about them and be able to be honest,” Jen said. “It’s been my outlet.”

Jen and Lyle are both graduates of Niles High School. Lyle graduated in 1996 and Jen in 2003.

They met through mutual friends in 2006 and were married July 13, 2013.

“I know it’s totally cliché but I feel like we are soul mates. We started out as friends and have become best friends. Through thick and thin we’ve been there for each other.

“We talk to each other and make each other get out and see people. We’ve never experienced loss before, so we are trying to figure out what works best for us and keep going.”