Sidney J. French

Sidney John French of Grand Island passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2025, at the age of 72. A deeply devoted husband, he leaves behind his wife of 27 years, Penni Rowland-French. He spent many of the best years of his life with Penni and felt fortunate for her company until his last day. Also a devoted father, he leaves behind two sons, Travis French of Lincoln, NE and Eric French of Omaha, NE. Throughout life, he was among their biggest fans and advocates. His life was also enriched by loving relationships with stepson Bryce Bartu of Milwaukee, WI; stepdaughter Taylor Brase of Hastings, NE; and daughter-in-law Ursula Kreitmair of Omaha, NE. He was preceded in death—by only a few months—by his oldest brother, Steve French (of Kearney, NE), whom he deeply respected and admired, as well as his parents, Wayne and Dorothy French (of Grand Island, NE).

Born and raised in Grand Island, Sid always worked hard, took care of loved ones, and did what he thought was right. As a sign of his dedication, he worked for the same company (Mitchell’s Anchor Serum) for his entire 47-year career. While there, he forged strong relationships with customers throughout Central and Western Nebraska, who knew him to be trustworthy, warm, and an expert in the trade. He consistently took an interest in his children’s passions, becoming a Little League baseball coach (and eventually the league president), an avid golfer, and an eager attendee of musicals at Grand Island Northwest.

After graduating from Grand Island Senior High in 1971 and then the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in 1973, Sid married Trudy Reese in 1975. They had two sons together. Although their marriage ended in 1992, his relationship with Trudy and her brothers continued to be characterized by caring, respect, and the occasional dose of laughter. He subsequently met Penni Rowland Bartu in 1996. Often sentimental, Sid proposed to Penni on the same day of the year as their first date, and they married on that same date one year after the engagement. For the coming decades, they enjoyed an active social life, collected memories during travel, and cherished time spent with family. Sid was especially fond of visits to Lincoln to spend time with his brother Stan, sister-in-law Kathy, their son and daughter, and assorted family and friends. After retiring from Mitchell’s in 2020, he stayed close to home with Penni and their dogs. Sid discovered his love of dogs relatively late in life, after a golden retriever stole his gardening glove, and he never failed to have one of his beloved dogs by his side from that point on.

No services are currently planned. Donations in Sid’s memory may be made to the Central Nebraska Humane Society.