Patsy "Patt" Skinner

Patsy (Patt Underwood) Skinner died April 2 at home in Alamogordo, New Mexico with family by her side.

"Patt" Underwood was born on 27 February 27, 1939 on the farm of Frank and Josey Cox in Cooperstown Township, Brown County, Illinois.  There had been a very large snow in recent days.  My Dad and the neighboring men went to work shoveling snow off the country road so local Doctor Frank Wilson of Versailles could get his trusty Ford to the delivery sight which happened just a couple of days later.  It was a happy event for parents, Dale Underwood and Verna Ray Underwood, to welcome their first child.  She was welcomed by Grandparents, Herman and Ida Adams Underwood and Roy and Lillie Cameron Ray and Great Grandmothers, Julia Mallory Adams and Elizabeth Bates Ray, all residents of Brown County, Illinois.

Parents, Dale and Verna Underwood, were farmers all their lives and as their children we lived on the farm until after high school graduation.  Living on a farm was a great education.  We learned many useful skills which served us well our entire lives.  Respect for land that fed us, the animals, ourselves and our fellowman; money was tight, so we learned to be frugal and improvise.  Teamwork was essential.  Pride in our accomplishments even when the reward was small, was a victory!

Patt attended Dewitt County school grades 1 through 4 and grades 4 through 8 at Versailles grade school.  She graduated from Brown County High School in 1957, and graduated from Gem City Business School in Quincy, IL in 1957.  Patt worked at State Street Bank and Trust, Quincy, IL as a "Gopher" for a year.  She attended Southern Illinois University from September 1958 through August of 1959.

At SIU she met the brother of one of her roommates, William C. (Bill) Beisswingert.  They were married in Cooperstown Baptist Church on 6 September 1959.  Soon McDonnell Aircraft of St. Louis, MO transferred her husband to Lancaster, CA where they resided 14 months.  Their first child, Leonard Dale Beisswingert was born in Lancaster on 14th June 1960.  They were transferred back to Missouri/Illinois in December 1960 and remained there until June of 1962 and were transferred back to Lancaster.  Their second son, Brian Eric Beisswingert was born in Alton, Illinois on 9 February 1962.  After 12 months in Lancaster, McDonnell transferred the family to Alamogordo, NM, the Land of Enchantment.  They fell in love with New Mexico and lived in New Mexico ever since.  Bill and Patt's daughter, Susan Ray Beisswingert, was born in Alamogordo, New Mexico 2 February 1965.

Patt worked for Alamogordo Abstract and Title Company and Guaranty Abstract and Title Company in Otero and Lincoln Counties both owned by Al and Charlene Ward for 14 years, retiring in April of 1984.  In 1994 she found the need to work and employed by First National Bank of Alamogordo as the switch board operator until June 1, 2004.

Patt was a member of Grace United Methodist Church the entire time she lived in Alamogordo.  Patt spent much of her retirement doing genealogy work on her family history.  She enjoyed coming back to Brown County.  She loved her family, relatives, friends, and old class mates from high school.

Patt is survived by her son, Leonard and wife, Tina and their daughter, Hannah of Woodland, CA; her son, Brian of Tucson, AZ and his son, Trevor, of Dallas, TX; her daughter, Susan  and husband, Barry Thorp of Alamogordo and her son, Michael Merritt and Jessica Muniz and their son, Maddox of Alamogordo; her sister, Judy Henderson and family of Kansas City, MO and brother, Doug Underwood and his family of Mt. Sterling, IL; sister-in-law, Beverly Beisswingert Brown and husband Michael of Willimsburg, VA and family.  Also surviving is the following extended family members:  Cindy and Ken Rogers and family, Randy and Peggy Rhue and family, Donna Humphrey and family, Michael Humphrey and family, Craig Skinner and family, Debbie and Michael Zagone and family, Linda and Dave Marshall and family, Sandra and Curtis Harding and family.

Patt was preceded in death by William C. (Bill) Beisswingert, Rudy Rhue, Burt Skinner; parents, Dale and Verna Underwood; and a brother, David.

Due to the current health situation in our nation there will be no visitation.  Graveside services will be held for immediate family members only.  Memorials can be made in Patt's memory to Grace United Methodist Church, 1206 Greenwood Lane, Alamogordo, NM 88310.

The Skinner family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Scenic Chapel to direct the funeral services.

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