In Memory
Jennifer (Ward) Linder
Mar 28, 1950 - Jul 9, 2025
Jennifer Ward Linder, 75, unforgettable mother, “Nana,” and best friend, passed away on July 9, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois, after a courageous battle with uveal melanoma.
Jenny was born March 28, 1950 in South Bend to Edison B. and Frances (Baker) Ward. A graduate of South Bend LaSalle (Central) High School, Jenny went on to study at Indiana University and excelled in her career as an artist in many mediums, most notably her spectacular hand-carved and painted waterfowl and furniture. Jenny’s talent and aesthetic vision was unparalleled, bringing beauty and style to everything she touched.
Jenny met her husband Jim in South Bend at “The Library;” they moved to Los Angeles, California, and then adventurously married in Las Vegas in 1976—a marriage which lasted nearly 50 years. Jenny and Jim later returned to South Bend to be closer to family and start their own. As a mother of two daughters, Jenny balanced running her own business, J.Linder Decoys, with parenting. She was the glue that held steadfast the Linder family, always supporting her children and grandchildren on the important dates in their lives.
Jenny will be remembered for her creativity, passion, and wicked sense of humor. She was an avid reader and master chef, though no one will be able to truly recreate her dishes because they were based more on intuition than recipe. She loved music, her Australian Shepherds (Foster, Chance, and Asher), and summers on the beach at Lake Michigan. Most of all, Jenny loved spending time with her grandchildren, teaching them how to cook and draw, reading them stories, feeding them lots of ice cream, and attending countless games and performances.
Jenny is survived by her husband Jim; her daughters, Erin Linder Hanig (Justin) and Sarah Linder; and her beloved grandchildren, Griffin Reid and Dylan Noelle Hanig, both of whom inherited her creative talents. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Sandra W. Lamberson, and she is survived by her brother Jerry B. Ward, former sister-in-law Brenda W. Case, and her cherished niece, nephews, and their children.
The Linder family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the numerous healthcare providers who supported Jenny’s cancer treatment, especially the oncology team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The family is also immensely grateful for the support of family, friends, and colleagues during this time.
A private celebration of Jenny’s life will be held in the future with details forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages acts of kindness in Jenny’s memory, suggesting a donation to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University or a cancer research organization of your choice.
07/18/2025 EJS
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