Leslie Margaret Senden

Leslie Margaret Senden (nee Hutson) August 12, 1942 - February 7, 2025 Leslie was born in York, England on August 12, 1942, three months after York was bombed in World War II. She was the only child of mother, Margaret "Peggy" Hutson (nee Buckle) and father, Leslie "Les" Hutson, who was away in military service. Leslie came to know her father through photographs until he returned from the war four years later. Leslie grew up in York and attended Queen Anne's School, where she formed lifelong friendships. After graduation, she worked at Yorkshire Bank, where she maintained an account throughout her life. In 1965, at 23yo, Leslie moved to Germany with a dear and lifelong girlfriend she had met in York, she got a job as a secretary for the U.S. military and they planned to travel the world. On her first night in Germany, Leslie was set up on a blind date with Lieutenant James "Jim" Senden from Ghent, Minnesota. On November 15, 1966, Jim & Leslie married in a civil ceremony in Basle, Switzerland, to begin the process for Leslie's U.S. visa. A second wedding followed on December 3, 1966, a beautiful and formal military ceremony at the U.S. Army 8th Infantry Division chapel in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. This marked the start of a 60-year marriage. Leslie's married life was filled with adventure, starting with her solo flight to New York City, where she would reunite with her new husband who had to return to the US separately on a military flight to New Jersey. Jim picked up his bride in the convertible Triumph TR4A they had shipped to the states, drove to Niagara Falls for Honeymoon, then continued on to arrive in Ghent, Minnesota, a few days before Christmas in the middle of Leslie's first Minnesota snowstorm in that same little convertible Triumph. There she would meet Jim's large family for the first time. She had memorized all their names from photographs. Jim and Leslie soon settled in New Brighton, Minnesota, where they built a home and raised their two children, Mark and Kerry. Every other summer, they returned to England to visit family and friends. On opposite summers they would often host British family and friends and take many RV trips out west, to national parks and through the badlands. Leslie's passions in the US included trailblazing work, with another lifelong friend, which helped lay the foundations of early childhood screening and preschool development programs throughout the United States. She went on to teach community education classes on visiting England and ended up working in the travel industry where she started her own tour operator business, AER Tours, specializing in custom-designed private tours to destinations such as China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bhutan, Thailand, Egypt, Jordan,Turkey, Russia and of course England. Leslie's clientele grew to include top business executives, religious leaders and government officials and she was named Best Tour Operator by Conde Nast multiple years. Leslie was an active member of several organizations, including the Transatlantic Brides and Parents Association (TBPA), the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE), and the US Junior Chamber of Commerce (Mrs. JCs/Jaycees). She was known for her warm hospitality, hosting numerous fundraisers, parties, and neighborhood gatherings, often serving British favorites like Yorkshire Gold Tea, scones with lemon curd, and sausage rolls. A lifelong lover of history and the arts, Leslie served on the Asian arts board at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Leslie and Jim held season tickets for the Guthrie Theater and the Minnesota Orchestra and attended the opera. They supported numerous cultural and educationa organizations, including MPR, MCAD, St. John the Baptist Church, St John's University, the York Minster, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and York Theatre Trust. (If desired, donations in leu of flowers can be sent to support any of these organizations in memory of Leslie). Leslie was diagnosed with a rare cancer just before the holidays, she was given a 3-9 month life estimate but only lasted 8 weeks. She celebrated her final Christmas and New Years with family and friends. And in her final days had moments of pure joy, making calls, receiving photos and reading notes from loved ones near and far. She passed away peacefully at home in the presence of her husband and daughter. The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the Health Partners Hospice team for their invaluable support during her care. Leslie was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, godmother, auntie, neighbor, and friend. She was a true Yorkshire lass-adventurous, brave, and full of warmth. She loved travel, loved all people and they all loved her. Her light could fill any room. She will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Leslie was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie "Les" Hutson and Margaret "Peggy" Hutson (née Buckle). She is survived by her husband Jim; son Mark (Pam); daughter Kerry (Joe); grandchildren Emily, Hayleah, and Jack; godchildren Howard, Andrea, Jane, Tracy, Sophie and Angela. A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Saint John the Baptist Church in New Brighton, MN. The chapel will open one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. The memorial service will be available to watch and live stream though St John the Baptist. Go to stjohnnb.com then click on 'worship' then 'funerals & cemetary' then 'upcoming funerals'.

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Leslie Margaret Senden

August 12, 1942 - February 7, 2025

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