Sydney Louise Jensen

Sydney was born to Paul and Jeanne Reusch in Fairbury, NE on October 10, 1946. Her unusual name led the newspaper to announce her birth as “a boy”. It was later retracted. This mistake was made many times throughout her life. She was recruited by the Navy thinking she was a boy! In college, she was sent the Boys dorm questionnaire and PE class, etc.  Sydney passed away on August 16, 2022. She is survived by her husband, Robert Jensen; brother, Rod Reusch (Jackie); sister-in-law, Judy Brown; five nieces and nephews and eight great-nieces and great-nephews. She was involved in her church as a youth. She was in the choir, played piano and organ, for church and the youth choir as she got older. She had taken piano and organ lessons from third grade through college. Syd was involved in many activities at Fairbury High School. Among them were being a cheerleader and National Honor Society. While in college, Syd was a “Bronco” – the girls marching team, President of her sorority, and listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges. She graduated from Hastings College with a BS in Business Administration.   Syd loved being in plays from High School, through college, and in her church.   After college, Syd moved to Minneapolis and started her 18-year career at Wells Fargo in auditing and systems analysis for 87 banks. She was responsible for the first commercial loan conversion from manual to automated. She was Manager of Loan Operations for the St. Paul bank and in charge of Consumer Law Compliance.  On November 29, 1974, Syd and Robert A. Jensen were married at the Presbyterian Church of Richfield, MN. After a brief move to Wahpeton, ND the Jensen’s made their home back in the Twin Cities metro area. In 1976 Hibou (a miniature dachshund) joined them. Later on, Syd and Bob got 2 other “doxies” – Tlaqua and Paque and showed them. Tlaqua was a champion and Paque had 5 puppies. They both enjoyed those days.  After Syd’s department at Wells Fargo was eliminated in the mid-1980’s, Syd worked several temporary jobs such as at a needlepoint store and as an Assistant to a MN State Senator. And when she was in between Temp jobs, Syd traveled with her mother. They had a great time together. In 1994 she became a licensed real estate agent. She enjoyed working with her clients and helping them obtain their objective. Her objective was not to be top producer, but to help people. Her family was also very important to her and she wished she had lived closer to them. She and Bob spent many vacations visiting family. Christmas was the most important and she was proud and happy that she and her brother, Rod, spent every Christmas together. Religion was very important to her. As a child she attended Sunday School every Sunday and continued to do so as an adult. She became a Deacon with Bob and later an Elder. She was in charge of the State Fair “Park & Ride” for 8 years and co-chair for fund development. She worked on and chaired the Fair Trade Sale which raised money for third world vendors, and volunteered and managed Meals on Wheels for many years. Syd was instrumental in setting up and working on many more activities both through the church and work.  Syd was very social and enjoyed entertaining friends. She and Bob loved to travel, fishing, dog shows, and playing Bridge, Gin Rummy and Pitch. She loved needlepoint, knitting and reading when she got the chance. Helping others gave her so much joy! She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and community.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 11:00 AM at New Life Presbyterian Church, 965 W. Larpenteur Ave, Roseville. Memorials may be made to the church.