She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Renee Thompson; and her brother-in-law, Fred Thompson.
She is survived by her husband, Trent Hardison; her children, Starlyn Tayrien and husband Troy, Michael "Mikee" Crabtree and wife Michelle, Natalie Heersche and husband Steve, and Jessica Moss; her sisters, Richelle Rariden and husband Randy, and Susan Betournay and husband Mark; and her cherished grandchildren, Jack and Max Tayrien, Rocky, Jillian, and Cash Heersche, and Kate and Benjamin Moss.
Jennelle graduated from South High School in 1968 and later attended college at WSU. In 1970, she married her first husband, Michael Crabtree. Together, they were involved with two Wichita favorites, owning and operating Central Station nightclub and managing Meadowlake Beach, a popular swimming destination in Wichita.
In 1990, Jennelle married her second husband, Trent, and these two shared a remarkable partnership and love that became one of the greatest joys of her life. Together they owned and operated Walnut Cove Resort on Grand Lake in Oklahoma and Pinaire Mobile Home Park in south Wichita. During this time, Jennelle also worked full-time as a medical assistant and lab technician for Dr. James I. Morgan in Wichita, until he retired in 1998.
Jennelle was a 21-year breast cancer survivor and a woman who never shied away from hard work. She delighted in being outdoors, especially mowing, weed eating, and maintaining the properties she cared for so deeply at Walnut Cove Resort and Pinaire Mobile Home Park. You were more likely to find Jennelle on a tractor working outside than anywhere else. She took immense pride in keeping up her home and properties and was happiest when she was busy getting things done and caring for the places she loved.
Jennelle especially enjoyed the holidays, most of all, Christmas and Halloween. She was a thoughtful and generous gift giver and had so much fun selecting gifts for everyone she cared about. Giving to others was one of the many ways she expressed her love. Jennelle also had a quick wit and a sarcastic streak that everyone came to know and treasure. Anyone who knew her well knew that her teasing came from a place of love, and it brought plenty of laughs to family gatherings over the years.
In her final years, Jennelle fought a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Though the disease gradually took much from her and eventually took her from us, it could never take away the love she gave to her family and friends or the memories she left behind.
Family was at the heart of Jennelle's life. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and aunt whose kindness, humor, and steady presence brightened the lives of those around her. A cherished friend to many, she leaves behind countless treasured memories and will be dearly missed.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, at GracePoint Community Church, 9035 W. Central Ave., Wichita, KS 67212.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Victory in the Valley, 3755 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67218, in memory of Jennelle L. Hardison. Or online at https://www.victoryinthevalley.org/tributes
Those wishing to honor Jennelle's memory may consider sending floral tributes in red and white, her favorite colors, to GracePoint Community Church at the address listed above.
