Sydney Rouse

Sydney Rouse, age 93, of Ripon, WI, previously of Reedsburg, WI, passed away on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Barrett House Assisted Living in Ripon.

Sydney was born on January 27, 1933, in Duluth, MN, daughter of the late Dr. John and Holly (Kingstrom) Rouse. She grew up in Reedsburg, where she attended Reedsburg area schools and graduated from Reedsburg High School. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Ripon College and, later, her master’s degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Sydney continued furthering her education through studies at the Paris College of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, where she studied interior design, and the Northwestern School of Business Administration in Chicago. Sydney enjoyed a successful career as a real estate broker, owning and operating Rouse Properties for many years before she retired.

Sydney was actively involved in the Green Lake and Ripon communities, both of which held a special place in her heart. She dedicated countless hours to civic service and community organization throughout her life. For nine years, she served on the Green Lake School Board. She was also a member of the Green Lake Area Women’s Club, Green Lake Sanitary District, the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Green Lake, the Green Lake County Republican Women’s Club, the Green Lake County Republican Party, the Lake Winnebago Advisory Council for Employment and Training, and the Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce. She also served as secretary for the Lost Creek Farm Subdivision. Sydney also ran as a Republican candidate for the Wisconsin State Senate to represent the 24th District.

Sydney had a lifelong love of reading and an adventurous spirit that inspired her to explore the world. She traveled to all seven continents, embracing the people, cultures, and experiences each destination had to offer. Some of the places she enjoyed the most visiting included Siesta Key, Florida; Peru; Paris, France; and the Brussels World’s Fair. Her travels, especially with her travel companion, Mo, enriched her life and reflected her curiosity, appreciation for beauty, and love of learning.

Sydney is survived by her special cousins, Jeff Rieffer and his wife, Lois, and their children, Scott and Lauren, and their spouses and children, and Joe Rieffer and his wife, Gail, and their children, Amanda, Jarick, and Cathleen, and their spouses and children. She is further survived by her close family friends, and Marti and Dennis McConnell, and Steve and Sue Sorenson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. John and Holly; numerous aunts; uncles; cousins; and many coworkers and friends.

A private family interment will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, 1000 Myrtle St., Reedsburg, WI. Sydney’s family and friends would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nurses and staff at Markesan Residence Home and Barrett House in Ripon for all of their loving care and support.

Memorials in Sydney’s name may be directed to SSM Health at Home Hospice Green Lake/Agnesian Healthcare Foundation, 430 E. Division Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 54935, or visit https://www.givetossmhealth.org/foundations/wisconsin/agnesian-healthcare-foundation/make-a-gift.