Francis Marie (Figert) Skinner (1907-1972)

FIGERT, HOUGHTELIN, SKINNER

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Frances Marie Figert was born on December 10, 1907, in Albion, Marshall County, Iowa, the daughter of Laura Houghtelin Figert and Fred Henry Figert.

She attended public school at Marathon, Iowa, graduating from high school in June, 1926 where she was active and successful in dramatic declamatory work. She attended Morningside College in Sioux City for one year and then attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City, obtaining her A.B. degree there in June, 1932. She therafter taught high school English and dramaticesin Havelock, Paullina, Sutherland and Hartley.

In June 1938, Frances was united in marriage to Elmer Warren Skinner of Paullina. To this union were born three sons, James Warren Skinner of Houston, Texas; William Frederick Skinner of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, Douglas Figert Skinner of Clinton, and Mary Frances Skinner Hoyt of Iowa City.

Her husband passed on in May, 1965, and Frances continued to reside in their family home in Paullina. Over the years she has been active in the work of Chapter FX of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, the Mary Ball Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Iowa Society of the Daughters of the American Colonissts, The Alpha Tau Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma (international honorary society for women in education), the Paullina Federated Music Club, the Paullina Library Board, and the Woment's Program of the First Presbyterian Church of Paullina.

In addition to her four children mentioned above, she is survived by her brother, Frederick McMillan Figert of Washington, D.C., her brother in law and sister in law, Ford and Marie Skinner of Horning, six grandchildren and a number of close relatives and dear friends.

Frances has been a dedicated and devoted wife, mother and homemaker, a superior and conscientious teacher and an inspirational force for stability and good in her home, in her community and in all of her activities and dealing with others.

Paullina (Iowa) Times, 20 April, 1972, p. 5