Kathy Lentsch Retiring!

An open house in her honor will be held on June 28. Feel free to stop by, congratulate her on 45 years in the industry and wish her well as she begins her next chapter. 

Kathy Lentsch

Kathy Lentsch of Sioux Valley Co-op Federal Credit Union is retiring after 45 years in the credit union industry, and 37 years as manager of the Watertown, SD based credit union. Under her leadership, the small credit union’s name and field of membership experienced several changes, including a name change to the present Sioux Valley Co-op Federal Credit Union. In 2004, Watertown Rubber Workers FCU merged into Sioux Valley to better serve the members from both credit unions. It is worth mentioning that in her long career, she has been involved with 747 monthly board meetings!
 
In her Spotlight profile piece that was published in the Memo in 2018, Kathy stated, “It has been a joy to work with our members throughout the years, whether by helping them with loans, offering good advice to help them make good sound decisions, or just to listen. For the most part, I have kept an open door policy by remaining visible to our members and always allowing them the opportunity to be able to place their trust in us. It has always been a pleasure to work with the ‘little people’ who can barely see across my desk and watch as they reluctantly give me their deposits. I have watched these ‘little people’ grow, get their first loan, and am thrilled to be invited to their graduations, weddings, and baby showers, sharing in the happy moments. For years, I had a poster displayed in the office from CUNA Mutual Insurance that read: To some lenders, you’re a risk; to the credit union, you’re family.”

Her remarks are still relevant today, as we celebrate her final day of work on Friday, June 28. The credit union is holding an open house that day, and the public is invited to stop by any time between 10 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at 712 9th Ave SE in Watertown. Doughnuts and coffee will be served in the morning, followed by a taco bar for lunch.

"Your presence will make this day even more special,” stated Tyler Gross, who will be taking over for Lentsch.

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