Sidney G. Crofts

Age 79 of Waverly Gardens, passed away on April 28, 2018.​Preceded in death by wife, Theresa; sisters and brothers-in law, Joyce (Edward) Byrnes, Shirley (Howard) Lenz; brother and sister-in-law, Robert (Mary); brother-in-law, Robert Morava. Survived by daughters, Catherine (Jay) Millerhagen, Emily (Brian) Magaw; grandsons, Peter Millerhagen, Zachary and Jacob Magaw; sister, Alice Morava; brother, John (Annette); several nieces, nephews and friends.​Memorial service 2:00 PM Thursday, May 10 at THE NORTH GABLES CHAPEL AT WAVERLY GARDENS, 5919 Centerville Rd., North Oaks.  Private interment Rienzi Cemetery, Fond du Lac, WI. ​Sidney George Crofts Jr. (Sid) was born and raised near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; the 5th of the 6 children of the late Sidney George Sr. and Nina Mary (Ottery) Crofts.  He grew up on the family’s dairy farm and especially enjoyed working in the fields. Sidney attended Blain School, a one room school house for grades 1-8.  There were years when he was the only student in his grade.  Later he would joke and say he was the “smartest kid in his class”.  Sidney earned his high school diploma from Goodrich High School, Fond du Lac.  He had a sharp mind for math.  Sid liked to help his fellow students figure out math problems and one of his friends wrote in his high school annual, “Dear Sid, without you I would have never passed algebra”.  He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Sidney was interested in accounting, but ended up taking a job in Fond du Lac as a management trainee for JCPenney, in 1960.  This was the beginning of his highly successful 38 year career with JCPenney.  He married Theresa Ann Born of Fond du Lac in May of 1962 and they celebrated the birth of their first daughter Katie Rose in June of 1963.  JCPenney promoted Sid to department manager and the family moved first to Columbus, Nebraska and then to Duluth, Minnesota, in 1968.  Emily Mae, the second daughter, was born in Duluth, in 1969.  In 1971, Sid was transferred to Edina, Minnesota where he was part of the staff that opened the Southdale  JCPenney store; an anchor in the first fully enclosed, climate controlled shopping mall in the United States.  After working as a floor manager and operations manager he was promoted to a Store Manager. He managed stores in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Albert Lea, Minnesota, Hillsdale, Michigan as well as opening a new store in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.  Sid was known as a team leader with strong planning, organizational and personnel skills.  He belonged to the Chamber of Commerce and was an active member of Lions Club International.  In 1998, Sid was offered early retirement at the age of 59.  He was excited to begin a new chapter in his life.  In 2001, he lost Theresa his loving wife of 39 years.  She was a tremendous support and partner in his career moves.  Sid enjoyed spending time with his family; daughters Katie (Jay Millerhagen) and Emily (Brian Magaw) and especially his grandsons; Peter Millerhagen and Zach and Jake Magaw.  His daughters followed in his footsteps; Katie working 24 years at JCPenney in multiple stores and the Minneapolis JCPenney District Office and Emily working in accounting and asset management.   His hobbies included traveling, golfing, bowling, playing cards and he loved to watch team sports. His faith was important to him and he was an active member of St. Genevieve church when he moved to Centerville, Minnesota to be closer to his family in the Midwest.  He is survived by his sister Alice, his brother John and many loving nieces/nephews. He enjoyed visiting his family in Wisconsin during the summers.  Sid was a resident of Waverly Gardens for over 5 years. The family will donate memorial contributions to Carroll University.  ​