Quincy D. Skinner, 88

Quincy Delano Skinner, 88, of Merriman, passed away Monday, November 20 at his home on the ranch. He was born July 5, 1935 to Byron V. and Pearle J. (Beyersdorf) Skinner in Gordon. He grew up seven miles west of Merriman with his parents and siblings, Junie and Jerry. A very special person in his life while growing up was his Pa, Paul H. Beyersdorf.

Quincy spent a lot of time walking in the footsteps of Pa, soaking in the wisdom that he had to share about ranching and how to treat people. He and his siblings always found plenty of mischief, including roping and branding chickens with branding irons Quincy crafted out of chicken wire, and riding the bucket calves home in “rodeo fashion” after the train whistled.

Quincy attended elementary school at Cherry County Highway School District #61, where he later served as School Board President in his adult years. He graduated from the Nebraska School of Agriculture at Curtis in 1953. While in high school Quincy was involved in several activities and held many offices including Annual Staff, Rodeo, Junior Ak-Sar-Ben, Board of Directors, Dorm Commissioner, and Aggie Stockmen. He made many life-long friendships from his years at Curtis.

Quincy was drafted into the United States Army and served from January 13, 1959 to January 5, 1961. He attended basic training at Fort Riley in Kansas, then on to Fort Sill in Oklahoma for artillery training. He served overseas stationed in Karlsruhe, Germany with the Battery A 3rd Observation Battalion 25th Artillery Company. When he was discharged, they returned home by plane instead of by boat, he never flew again which is exactly the way he wanted it.

On December 30, 1971 Quincy was united in marriage to Oleta (Dahlgren) Skinner and built their wonderful life together on the ranch, side-by-side for 51 years. Two children were born to this union: Loleta Lee and Neil Paul. Quincy was a protector, from his family at home to the livestock he tended every day.

He was a hard worker who took great pride in everything he did, there was no room for shortcuts. This was very apparent in each packed uniform haystack across the meadow, the fence lines winding through the hills and every perfectly placed brand on a new calf come spring. Quincy was a KayDee Feed Company sales rep for 41 years and volunteered at the Sheridan County Fair and Rodeo, in charge of the neck rope for over 50 years.

He was a talented leather worker crafting belts, billfolds, purses, clocks, bowling bags, footstools and checkbook covers for many family members, friends and neighbors. His leatherwork was just as detailed and perfect as his haystacks.

Being a grandad and spending time with grandsons Cade, Jace and Trey was always a time of lessons, love and laughter. He would beam with pride as he watched them score a basket, make a touchdown, wrestle calves in the branding pen or working with him on the ranch. Little Miss Pearle stole his heart from the beginning and his face lit up every time she entered the room.

Quincy was preceded in death by his parents, brother, granddaughter Dacee Paige Connell, and several in-laws.

Quincy is survived by his wife, Oleta; daughter, Loleta Connell (Casey); son, Neil Skinner (Ashley); grandsons, Cade, Jace and Trey Connell; granddaughter, Pearle Leta Skinner; sister, Junie Hooper; many nieces, nephews, dear friends and neighbors.

Memorial services will be held for family and friends Thursday, November 30 at 10:00 a.m. at the Gordon American Legion. Burial to immediately follow the service at Gordon Cemetery. A memorial has been established for The Fisher House in Minneapolis, MN and can be sent to Chamberlain Funeral Home, PO Box 366, Gordon, NE 69343.