M. Jane Hartnett Memorial Trust Scholarship
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD – $3,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate degree programs.
ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT– None.
The Story Behind the Scholarship
M. Jane Hartnett was a dedicated, sixth-grade teacher for 35 years in the Oconomowoc Area School District. Most of these years were at Okauchee Elementary, and her later years were at Meadow View Elementary located in the Town of Oconomowoc.
Jane passed away in December 2018. She and her husband, Bill were married for 49 years. “I know how much Jane loved teaching and after she passed away, I was trying to figure out how I could honor her. I thought a scholarship that will benefit young people living in Oconomowoc would be a neat way to do that,” explained Bill.
Jane earned her bachelor’s degree from UW-Whitewater, and a master’s from National Louis University. She was strong, yet sensitive, kind, and caring. She maintained her quick wit and sense of humor throughout her life. All these traits and more contributed to her being beloved by many students over the years. She had a profound impact on all who knew and loved her.
“Mrs. Hartnett was a beautiful, wise teacher with a witty sense of humor—1976 Okauchee grade school, she was the teacher we all felt safe with. She had a gift for her education style that was refreshing and made each of her students feel like they could accomplish anything we put our minds to,” wrote Oconomowoc resident, Lauri Badura.
Jane’s husband Bill passed away in December 2019. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran serving honorably as an electronics technician aboard the amphibious force flagship U.S.S. Estes in the South China Sea. He was active in both the American Legion and the V.F.W. in Oconomowoc.
Bill retired from Stokely U.S.A. (formerly the Oconomowoc Canning Co.) where he worked as a maintenance mechanic and supervisor at their can plant, working up to plant manager at the Jefferson frozen food facility. He loved cars and trucks, and all manner of electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and woodworking challenges. An avid Harley Davidson aficionado, he even raffled off his motorcycle for a donation to the V.F.W.
M. Jane Hartnett