Sydney Andersen, 18, of Grinnell, died on Saturday, September 13, 2025 north of Montezuma from injuries sustained in a car accident.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, September 21, 2025 in the auditorium at North Mahaska High School in New Sharon.  The family requests for those attending the service to wear casual attire and to be their authentic self, just like Sydney always was.

Sydney's family will receive friends from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, September 19, 2025 in the gymnasium at North Mahaska High School in New Sharon.

Memorials may be designated to the Sydney Andersen Memorial Fund to benefit local organizations selected by her family and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Condolences may be shared with Sydney's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Sydney was born on March 27, 2007, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Ryan Christopher Andersen and Amy Joette (Stout) Andersen. She was raised in Grinnell and attended Grinnell schools through 7th grade before transferring to North Mahaska Schools, where she graduated with the Class of 2025.

A gifted athlete, Sydney played volleyball, basketball and track. During her senior year, she helped the North Mahaska Warhawks basketball team reach the IGHSAA State Basketball Tournament and she contributed to the volleyball team's success winning the conference championship. During her sophomore year she qualified for state track in the shot put. At the time of her passing, she was a freshman at William Penn University in Oskaloosa majoring in nursing.

Sydney held a deep faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and her favorite scripture was Psalms 147:3. Above all else, she cherished her family, especially her siblings Nolan, Mallory, and Bentley. Those who knew Sydney will remember her as completely authentic, quiet yet determined (except around her friends), humble, loyal, and always ready to make others laugh.

She is survived by her parents, Ryan and Amy Andersen of Grinnell; her siblings, Nolan, Mallory, and Bentley Andersen; her paternal grandparents, Don and Linda Andersen of Oskaloosa; her maternal grandparents, Robert and Joette Stout of New Sharon; her maternal great-grandmother, Harriet Stout; and her aunts, uncles, cousins, and loyal friends.