“We’re going to be better today than we were yesterday and better tomorrow than we are today.”

The folks at HNI work side-by-side with each other to help our clients every day.  We share more than just work- we become friends and members of the HNI family.  Nobody knit the HNI family together more than April Weatherston.  Fifteen years ago April joined HNI and it didn't take long for her to start the process of building team spirit.  When April became the Director of Insurance in Wisconsin she took it upon herself to get her college degree so she could confidently lead and encourage all those that worked under her wing.  To say April valued personal development is an understatement and she challenged all to do the same.  

Yesterday when we arrived at work, we did so knowing that April would not be strolling around the office cheering people up, handing out candy, or saying how nice it was to see you. It is with heavy hearts that we deliver the difficult news of the passing of our incredible colleague and friend. The HNI family lost one of our own to a battle with cancer.  

April’s positive outlook on life, even during the most difficult of times, was inspirational and contagious. There was nothing that April felt couldn’t be completed with the right people and the right perspective. We will continue to hold her in our hearts and value her immense and varied contributions to HNI. Her spirit will live on in what we call April-isms.  She seemed to have more expressions than a successories store.  Here are a few of her stand by's:

• When things don’t go right, you should always look in the mirror first and ask yourself “What did I do to contribute to the situation and what can I do differently”
• Hang in there with me.
• Don’t forget to breathe.
• Know your roles and responsibilities.
• We have the best and brightest talent in the industry.
• Don’t be a problem solver be a solution finder.
• It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.
• I’m humbled by the work this team puts out.

Perhaps you too have an April-ism or story to share?  We invite you to share those in the comments below.  Our WI office will be closed on Friday so we can attend the funeral service for April and her family.  

April will be very much missed as a mentor, colleague, friend, mother, grandmother and wife. We will no doubt always remember April with deep fondness, a smile on our faces, and gratefulness in our hearts for the gift of knowing her.