Sydney Reese Otterson

sydney reese otterson
Sydney's Live Streamed Funeral Service can be viewed below:
Sydney Reese Otterson, age 25, formally of Kindred, North Dakota, passed away May 31st, 2021 in Fargo, North Dakota. Sydney was born in Fargo, North Dakota, on April 27th, 1996, to Ray Otterson and Mary Otterson. She grew up in Kindred where she graduated from Kindred High School, just blocks from her childhood home. Many of those years were spent singing in the choir, playing saxophone in the band, playing piano, and being the captain of the volleyball team. After high school, Sydney attended Valley City State University. College friendships were made as a member of the concert choir and actively participating in campus activities. Sydney found her passion for working with children early on and carried that with her as she worked for various childcare centers before finding her home as a para professional at Lewis and Clark Elementary School. She loved sharing stories about the students she helped and was highly praised for being an “amazing employee and a integral part of the school family.” On summer days, Sydney enjoyed spending time at the lake soaking up the sun or kayaking with her friends. Her love for the outdoors earned her the nickname “Nature Girl”. She loved sharing laughs with her family over competitive games, whether that be card games, ping pong, or a classic family obstacle course in the yard. Sydney is survived by her parents Ray Otterson (Paula Thomas), Mary Otterson (Terry Nelson), her lovings sisters Lauren and Jacey and her grandmother Donna Kennedy. She had a very special relationship with her aunts and uncles: Julie Otterson, Doug and Linda Otterson, Linda Fiedler, Don and Diane Erickson. Sydney was always watched over by her close knit cousins, Dana (Marcé), Kayla, Tess (Cameron), and Lance. She is preceded in death by her grandparents Norma and Arnold Otterson, her Grandfather Ted Kennedy, and her favorite Uncle Craig Fiedler. Our family wants to bring a strong awareness to the struggles of mental health so in lieu of flowers, we ask that you please make a donation in honor of Sydney to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. afsp.donordrive.com Celebration of Life Service: 10 AM Monday, June 7, 2021 at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo – with a gathering one hour prior. Burial will take place at the Perhus Cemetery near Kindred, ND.

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  1. You touched the lives of so many people, especially the students and staff at Lewis and Clark Elementary. You will be missed. Rest in peace.

  2. Oh my…..my deepest sympathies to the Otterson Family. What a gem she was. Prayers for strength and healing to all.

  3. The Lewis and Clark family is so fortunate to have you in our lives. I will miss you stopping in my room for hand lotion or just to take a minute to catch your breath. Your beautiful spirit will be forever in my heart.

  4. Sydney was the light in any room she was in. I’m thankful to have known her and for the many memories we shared together both inside and outside of work throughout our time at Little Jungle (my favorite being spontaneously taking a trip to AZ). I will cherish those forever. You will be missed dearly my friend.

  5. Sydney was a true blessing to Lewis and Clark! I was honored to get to know her through her years as a para! I will forever cherish our talks and the time we spent together with the essentials oils going in my coat room! Her contagious laugh and infectious smile will forever be missed! Please watch over your Lewis and Clark family and kiddos as you always made our days brighter! We love you so much!

  6. Our hearts ache for the family! We are keeping them all in our thoughts and prayers! Heaven gained an amazing and beautiful Angel!

  7. Sydney was such a bright loving person, the times I worked with her I will forever cherish 🖤

  8. Miss Syndey,
    My heart broke this morning when I heard what happened. You truly were the best teacher our little Brie has had. Your gift with children, your amazing personality and kindness will be missed. You and Brie had such a special bond and as a mom it made my days so much easier knowing you truly cared about my daughter. I remember on our last day you bought her a going away paci w/ the giant panda on there.. because she couldn’t not have a stuffy w/ her. Know that so many people care about you. We will all miss you Miss Sydney.
    Love,
    Kelsey, Cole & Brie Harper

  9. We are so very sorry for your heartbreaking loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sydney’s family and friends.

    Todd and Marsha Weber and family

  10. Sydney had a smile that could light up a room, her contagious laugh, will forever be in the back of my mind. I hope she is a peace and no longer struggling with internal battles. I will miss you. Until we meet again ❤️

  11. I am so sad to hear of your loss. Please know that you and your family will be in my prayers.
    Tina

  12. Mary and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss!
    May God bring you peace during this tragic time.
    Sending prayers.
    Barb Grieger

  13. Syd, My heart breaks for you and for everyone who knew you. You were and always will be one of the most sensational people I’ve ever met. Between video games, food, and late night drives…I will miss you dearly❤

  14. There are no words. I am so deeply sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful soul.
    Kim Radermacher

  15. Mary & Family – You are in our thoughts and prayers. Sydney sounds like a lovely person. And Mary – she looks just like you! Big hugs to you all in this horrible time. Praying for comfort and better days ahead. Hang in there <3

  16. We are so sad to hear of your loss. Please know that you and your family will be in our thoughts prayers.

  17. I’m so so sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for your family. Healing prayers to all!!

  18. I really don’t have much to say since I’m still trying to process it… However, Sydney was the first person I automatically “clicked” with once I first started working at the daycare. She was a unique soul with a beautiful warming heart. She was a very hardworking gal with a very uplifting spirit. We would always made fun of each other and play games while the kids were napping. I remember on her birthday I made her a little surprise party with a piñata which she was so amazed and happy with.But the best part of all this is that I got to meet a great friend like her… rest easy Syd❤️ Love you

  19. Sydney was one of my favorite coworkers at Lil Bloomers/Inspiring Minds. Such a wonderful girl! Cheerful, hard working, smart, and caring. And a natural born manager. I will cherish the wonderful memories I have of her.
    God bless her family and friends, and peace and love to Sydney. She will be missed.

  20. Mary and Family,
    My heart breaks for you at the tragic loss of your dear Sydney. She will forever be in your hearts and memories, and know that she is now at peace.

  21. Rest in peace sweet Sydney! You were always so kind and caring. Everett enjoyed the time he spent with you as his teacher at Inspiring Minds. So sorry for your family and friends! They have lost a gem!

  22. I will miss giving her a daily morning hug and an “I love you” as she started her day at school! Love, hugs and prayers to each family member and friend that her life touched!

  23. Sydney’s Family ~ I want you to know that when there are no words…just know that the silences are carrying the thoughts and prayers of all who care for you.

    Healing HUGs
    Jim and Rosie Clemenson

  24. Sydney cared for my daughter at inspiring minds. She was always so sweet and kind. This is a tragic loss. She was extremely special and will be greatly missed!

  25. Sydney was a friend of mine at Valley City State. She always brought laughter and good times whenever she’d come hang out in our dorm room. She always had a good story to tell or would have the perfect comment to make to make us laugh during any conversation. Honestly I have too many memories to count with her. She was an amazing person and I’m sad to be saying goodbye. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

  26. Sydney was an amazing para educator at Lewis and Clark connecting with her students on a very personal level. She had a quiet way of doing good each and every day. She believed in her students and was a beautiful advocate for them. She will be missed and our hearts go out to her family and friends who also mourn her loss.

  27. We are so sorry to hear this. You have our sincere sympathy – we cannot imagine the loss you are feeling.

  28. So sorry for your los. You have a great family. Stay strong. You will be in our prayers

  29. Mary and family,
    I am deeply saddened to hear about Sydney! I often heard stories of all of the girls, Mary was so proud of you all! Please know your family is in our hearts and prayers!
    Heather Messmer

  30. Otterson Family,
    Thank you for raising such a beautiful soul and sharing her with Lewis and Clark Elementary. Sydney was loved by all; especially her students. She brought so much light and joy to my classroom each day. We will always remember her smile!

  31. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Sydney at Lewis and Clark. Her vibrant smile and wonderful sense of humor will forever be missed. I am praying for comfort for the entire Otterson family.

  32. We could not be more devastated by the news of Sydney. What a beauty, inside and out. We grieve terribly for you all. May this sweet soul rest in peace. Love to you all.

  33. My heart breaks for your loss. May you find some comfort in your memories of the time you had with this Beautiful young girl.

  34. Ray, Mary, Lauren, and Jacey; I’m so sorry for the loss of Sydney. She was an amazing young lady. I remember babysitting all of you girls a very long time ago. She was always so smiley and loved to laugh. My heart goes out to the whole family!!

  35. Sydney brought sunshine into our classroom every morning. Each student felt her warmth and kindness. No one in my room went unnoticed by her. She was a true professional with the biggest heart. Please know she has made Lewis & Clark a better place by leaving her mark there on the kids and adults.

  36. So very sorry for your loss Otterson Family. We the Clarke’s watched all of your kids grow up down the street & at grandmas next door. Our prayers & thoughts are with you in your sorrow.
    Bob & Leaha Clarke & family❤️🤗🙏

  37. I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. ((Hugs)) to you all grieving the loss of your beautiful daughter. May God hold your hand through it all and guide you through life. Hold onto the beautiful memories and cherish every moment.

  38. Sydney always had a bright smile and kind word for us and our girls, and felt like family from the first moment we met her. She will forever hold a piece of hearts. ❤️

  39. Lost our son to suicide in October. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has lots to offer you for support . Prayers going out for strength and comfort during this difficult time. 💔💔

  40. Thinking of you and your family as you mourn the loss of daughter Sidney. May
    Grace and God’s Peace be with all of you. Our sympathy, George and Karen Kruse

  41. So sorry for your family. Sending prayers for strength & peace.
    She was definitely a sweet girl, with a heart of gold!

  42. To all of Sydney’s family, friends, and coworkers,
    my heart deeply aches for your dear loss of a beautiful young woman who made a difference in this world. I know there aren’t enough words or the perfect words to comfort you during this sad, tragic time. All I can say is that I am praying for your family to find some comfort, light, and peace. I will continue to be an advocate for mental health awareness in Sydney’s honor.

  43. I had the honor and privilege of having Sydney (Lauren, Jacey, Dana, and Kayla) in class in Kindred. Sydney was an incredibly beautiful soul with a smile that lit up the room. As a teacher, I see the very real issues with mental health and my family and I struggle with it as well. I am so truly sorry that you have suffered from this. I know that there aren’t words to express the pain and sorrow you must be experiencing and I pray that God will give you strength, healing, and peace. Hugs to you and your family.

  44. Sydney and I went to school together in Kindred from age 7 on. Our class became close over the years with all of us having many memories with her. I can remember her trying to teach us guys how to play volleyball for “muscle volleyball” our senior year. She had volunteered to be one of our coaches which made it so much fun.

    I pray that Sydney finds peace. I also pray that her family and anyone who loves Sydney finds peace.

  45. Mary and family – I’m so sorry for this tremendous loss you face. May her light shine on through all that knew her and whom she touched. I pray for peace and comfort for you and your family.

  46. My name is Mike and Ray was my boss while I was an accountant at Braaten Cabinets. I didn’t get the pleasure to meet Sydney but I did get to work with Jacey during the summer. I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sydney. I learned a whole lot about her life and who she was thru the video and online memorial service. What a wonderful lady and contagious smile! Thoughts and prayers for all. She will always be with us.

  47. So very sorry for your loss. May love and hope heal your heart in this season of sadness. With Love and Sympathy.

  48. Rest In Peace Beautiful Girl.
    I only met you briefly, but after talking to you for five minutes I asked you to be my best friend. You had a beautiful soul and that was evident in minutes of being in your presence.


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