I was one of Ms. Hardie’s students for a year and a half. She was a wonderful teacher and an incredibly sweet person, and left such an impact on everyone she knew. The school hasn’t been the same now that she’s gone… To the family: I’m deeply sorry for your loss. Stay strong. You can do this.

Hi my name is Rane Roste and i was a student of Ms. Hardies at central. She was my absolute favorite teacher and she actually wrote my recommendation letter for my application to collage. Her laugh and sense of humor filled her class room and she was such a joy to be around. I would spend my lunch breaks in her room, I TA’d for her, and spend my free time in her room (even helping her with grading tests (: ) I could talk to her about anything in the world, and always knew to come to her when i had questions about school or when i was feeling down. She told me about Harper and the doctors appointments and about how her week was going. She told me about her collage experience and playing basketball and I enjoyed every minute of it. Sorry this picture is a little out of the ordinary but she never wanted to be photographed so I had to sneak one in of course. I adored Ms. Hardie and her sensible, genuine and kind personality. She had so much patience with students and was always willing to see the best in everyone. She always had snacks (especially dum dum suckers) and she always let me take some out of her box if I was hungry. Her generosity could not go unnoticed 😊. My dearest condolences to her family. She was such a bright light in the room and the students of central loved her and appreciated her. She truly made a difference in my life and I will never forget her smile, her laugh and her willingness to help others. I am deeply sorry she passed away so suddenly and so soon. I emailed her around the time she left school and Ms. K forwarded it to her and i hope that brought some comfort in knowing that we were thinking about her. I miss just sitting in her classroom and chatting. I have the deepest respect and adoration for her because she truly was a teacher that made difference, and touched my heart in so many ways. ❤️

Hi Matt and Harper,
I have been thinking of Jenni all summer and know I'm not alone in remembering her smile and great sense of humor. 
I don't have a specific story to tell, but will miss her stopping by my office/room to chat in the mornings.  And, no matter what we would be discussing, eventually we would make our way to what Harper has been up to. Jenni's whole face would change when she was telling me stories about Harper (good things and funny naughty things;). The smile on her face was brighter and the love she was feeling was so clearly evident. I loved asking Jenni about Harper, just to see the transition and listen to her tell the latest story. 
I'll miss Jenni. She was a beautiful person and an amazing teacher. 
Also, speaking of teaching. I'm sure, Matt, you will agree that if one wanted or needed help with  anything math related, Jenni was the first person to reach out to. I was always in awe of her knowledge.   
I will not forget her and know her memories will be of comfort to you both. 
Love, Joleen

Jenni was very determined to do her best.  5th grade was a turning point for Jenni in school, and she was determined to become a teacher.  Her studies and grades became her new focus and goals that she had set. 
Playing sports was another area she poured herself into.  For basketball learning the right shot technic to working through the opposing defense.  She put the time into making her game better.  I was always amazed at her determination and perseverance in each sport she played.  Many nights after basketball practices and games Jenni would put her feet into buckets of ice water or snow.  Of course, she was bundled up in multiple blankets while dealing with the pain.
Learning to drive was another obstacle that she needed to excel at. I may have gotten a grey hair or two from this experience. There are many stories that go along with this but will leave it at this.   She ended up getting her driver’s license on the first attempt.   I was also grateful after we sold her first car she drove “it had been through a lot.”
Jenni excelled at academics during high school. She was co salutatorian of her graduating class. This was no surprise to us with how hard she worked at every subject she took.  When she ran out of math classes to take as a senior and there were no opportunities for her to take college level courses she shadow-taught at the grade school. The first student to do this at Cashton High School. 
 Jenni received a card days before going into the hospital, from a student she had back in 2010 as a freshman taking geometry, he struggled with understanding math.  Talked about the 40+ students in the class. She provided a safe space to learn math and make mistakes.  He told Jenni that he was in the third-year doctorate program with plans to become a neurologist.  Jenni was a great educator that molded so many young minds.  
Jenni loved her daughter more than anything.  Her mother and I will miss her terribly. 
Love & miss you Jenni 
David (stepdad)

When I joined the Central High School Mathematics Department, I found an inviting cadre of teachers who worked collaboratively and helped each other. Not all teachers embraced that philosophy when they joined the department. 

Jenni not only embraced that approach, but improved on how it worked and was a mentor to many of the teachers who joined the department after her. Jenni had a strong knowledge of mathematics and used it to lead courses she taught with her full energy and her knowledge of how students learned mathematics. She brought a personal warmth into her classroom by providing a patient approach to guiding students through material they found difficult and spent many hours with them after school. 

Jenni’s dedication to her students and knowledge of mathematics will be missed. She will be remembered fondly by colleagues and students whose lives she touched. And I will miss her warmth, smile, laugh, and sense of humor whenever I return to Central Mathematics Department activities in future years.

May her memory be a blessing.

Jenni was such a wonderful part of the family.  She was interested in learning about every person she met.  I don’t think I ever heard her use an unkind word for anyone.  
I loved watching her as a wife and mother to Matthew and Harper.  She loved her family so much.  The world will be a poorer place without Jenni.  We will continue to speak of her to Harper so she doesn’t forget Jenni’s love for her.

My daughter Jenni was adorable as a little kid and throughout her life. She loved to play Candy Land & other board games at Grandpa & Grandma Hutchison's. She hung out a lot & played with Paul & Alanna her cousins. Jenni & her bro Ryan loved to go to Hazel's their babysitter's. & Hazel loved them like they were her own kids, and they loved her cookies! Jenni always did well in school, she loved to be outside riding bike, but didn't always like to be the center of attention. When she didn't want her picture taken she'd stick out her togue! We had added to our little family on June 1st 1991, Jenni and Ryan gained a step mother Rita,  2 brothers Eric, Leigh and a sister Candace. They all got along right from the start playing and fighting like normal kids do. Jenni & Candace loved to play barbies, they took up half the house and loved to collect stickers for their sticker books. She loved to go outside with her sibs sleigh riding down the hill with our dog Buster who would jump in her sled for a ride, she laughed all the way down the hill.  Jenni loved playing in the pool, jumping on the trampoline with her friends & sibs; teasing & chasing each other around the house, building a tent on the clothes line. Jenni especially loved little cousin Morganne & she loved to carry around. Playing school Candace & her being the teacher(ironic) the boys were her students & she would get bully if her brothers got bored ran off. The years went by however as they often do; things changed  in many ways for her but she would snap back and dive into the fray. Jenni always had the courage to go forward and strive for the things she wanted out of life. Losing Jenni so young at 42 is so godly unfair,  but our pride in Jenni has never dimmed; starting from the day she was born, until the day she took her last breath. We will miss you always!
We love you Jenni always and forever!
Dad and Rita Hutchison

Jenni was the rock at the center of her family - a rock star.  She will be greatly missed, but I know her spirit will lift up Matt and Harper and guide them to a new future.

I remember being so nervous my first day of college, and then I met this awesome friendly girl next door. Jenni was my first friend at Winona State and we had many awesome memories in the years that followed. It's because of Jenni that I learned what fresh cheese curds were, and how to enjoy the fresh squiddgy texture. I loved helping Jenni on her's and Matt's wedding day. She was such an amazing spirit.

I am so grateful that fate brought Jenni into my life our freshman year at Winona State and carried into our adult lives. The friendship we built throughout college is something I will treasure forever. I will always remember her and all the fun we had together with a smile. The world lost an amazing mom, wife, teacher, daughter, sister, human, and friend.

I co-taught Geometry with Jenni for a semester at Central, and I really enjoyed spending time with her each day. It was my first year as a teacher, and I learned a lot from her. I remember how patient she was with students, and how she connected with them about so many different life topics. Even when she had to teach and repeat the same material over and over, she brought energy and openness to her students. She was succinct, detail-oriented, and welcoming to everyone. Jenni had a positive impact on me!

I had the privilege of working alongside Jenni for over 15 years in the math department. She was not only a brilliant teacher but also the person I could always turn to when I needed guidance with a class or a challenge. Her kindness, patience, and deep knowledge made her a cornerstone of our department, and her sudden passing has left an immeasurable void in our hearts.

Beyond being an outstanding colleague, Jenni was a wonderful friend whose presence brightened even the most difficult days. My heart goes out to Matt and Harper. Please know that Jenni’s legacy of compassion, dedication, and love will continue to live on in all of us who had the honor of working with her. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

When all that's left is memories... and those memories are all filled with smiles, laughter, fun until your stomach hurts and love that didn't care about blood,  family was family.....it hurts, but it also reminds me that I had such an amazing childhood.  Cousins. My cousins got me through some very dark and tough times.  All I have are pleasant and heartfelt memories with them. 

Jenni in particular was like a big sister,  so cool and so confident,  all I could do was follow you around and hope you would play with me or let me join. You always did.  I lost almost every game I played with you from scattegories to Mario kart to basketball matches.  But that never made me sad,  you were my cool older cousin and you let me play with you,  I never tried to ask for anything more.  But the biggest impact came when we were adults and you just wanted to sit and chat and catch up in the IGA parking lot.  I felt so honored and then ashamed.  You had been keeping up with things I'd been doing while the years had grown long. More and more years pass as we get older,  we think we have plenty of time in the future to catch up and make more memories.  You were so sweet to me and made me feel important and I let the years slip by.  I'm just heartbroken that you're gone. I'm devastated by what the disease has taken away from you and your family and so quickly.  I'm also humbled by your memories,  and wrapped in warmth when I think of how much better my childhood was with you in it. You were a protector and a friend to me,  so I promise to in return pray for protection and warmth for your family. I pray the Lord keep them safe and loved the way you always made me feel. 

I love you. - Cousin Dena Ann Riley(Czarnik)

Jenni is a soul gone too soon, she was an exemplary colleague always ready to offer help and input. She will be sorely missed as a teacher and a friend.
To Matt and Harper and family, you have my deepest sympathies.

We are so thankful for the many memories we have of Jenni.  Jenni had a generous and gracious spirit especially when it came to volunteering to help in any way she could. We’ve been told we have a lot of food rules and Jenni jumped in and had no problem navigating.  Once while loading the dishwasher, Jenni accidently dropped a casserole dish and broke the handle.  She was deeply embarrassed but every time we use the casserole dish, we think of Jenni and how much we love her.  Another way Jenni showed her generosity was by helping us move to Eau Claire.  Many people helped, but Matthew and Jenni came twice to help load and move the U-Haul truck.  Obviously, they used mathematical calculations to use every square inch of the truck!

It is not easy to surprise a math teacher with math facts, but Harper did just that.  One afternoon, we asked Harper how many seconds are in two minutes and she immediately responded with 120 seconds.  Both Mom and Dad and grandparents were stunned and proud.  We all wondered how she knew that at such a young age.  Jenni adored her daughter and always kept her busy with activities, both physical activities and educational activities.  Anyone want to play Hide and Seek?

It was a blessing to have Matthew, Jenni and Harper come visit, especially over the holidays.  Frequently, Jenni took the time to solve our technology issues using simple words.  Playing games was a real treat, with Jenni often coming out as the winner.  It was also fun to see Jenni’s palette expand over the years particularly in the area of onion usage.  We are so thankful that over the passage of time we became so comfortable with each other.  At the end of a visit, it sometimes took two hours from the time they started talking about leaving until they finally left and we didn’t mind at all.  We will miss Jenni greatly.   

 Love, Kevin and Kathryn

Jenni -
We got to know each other when we were younger, with our moms working together AND you went to Cashton and I was at Royall, so we had opportunities galore during school events. We always clicked when we were together and always had fun. RIP to a beautiful soul♡♡

Our family is holding yours in loving care. I was a colleague of Jenni's at Central High School in 2018-2019 while teaching as part of the MYP/IB program in Science, while Matt and Jenni were both Math. I moved to Washington after that year and later was joined by Matt at WTMS too. 

It is with deepest sympathies that I write this as the loss of a life partner is just tragic. Many fond memories of our times together in meetings and school pot lucks. May her memory be a blessing to everyone she knew. 

With Love, Joyce (Jones Strait) and Jean Strait

OBITUARY

Jenni Lynn Hardie

28 April, 1983 – 10 August, 2025

Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home

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