Patsy Neff, 88, of Mt. Pleasant, died Sunday, December 21, 2025 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington, IA.
Mrs. Neff, the former Patsy Sue Briggs, was born October 14, 1937 in Roland, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Lloyd and Verla (Morgan) Briggs. Her family moved to the West Point, IA area when Patsy was an infant. She attended school first in Denmark, IA, and graduated from Ft. Madison High School. On June 12, 1976 in Mt. Pleasant, Patsy was united in marriage to Fred Allen Neff. Mr. Neff died July 23, 1999.
While in school, Patsy worked as a student for the United States Postal Service. She later worked as a typesetter for the Mt. Pleasant News. The job she truly loved was as a Group Leader and Lecturer for Weight Watchers. She helped and encouraged numerous individuals seeking to curb their weight gain. What might seem ironic to some, Patsy also awoke early each morning to work at the former Daylight Doughnuts Shop, making doughnuts for hungry customers.
Patsy was a gifted seamstress. She created outfits and repaired clothing. Along those lines, Patsy was known to her family as a “crocheting machine”, eagerly crafting an untold number of items from clothing such as sweaters, caps and mittens to household items such as blankets, afghans and hot pads.
Those thankful for sharing in Patsy’s life include her children – Steve (Shyrl) Sawyer of Colman, AL, Pam Sawyer of Mt. Pleasant and Dave (Kathy) Sawyer of Cedar Rapids; her step children – Robert Neff of California, Judy Neff of Winfield, Belinda Osborn of Mt. View, CA and Carolee Benz of New London; her siblings – Shirley Hamilton of Georgia, and Don Briggs, Janice Morow and Jackie Steadman, all of Hood, OR; 2 grandchildren – Steve Sawyer, Jr. and Kellyn Ochs and several great grandchildren.
Her parents, husband, 3 children – Patricia Sawyer in infancy, Kelly Ochs and Don Ochs, and 2 sisters – Judy Briggs and Carol Butcher, precede Patsy in death.
A funeral service for Patsy will be held at 11 AM on Monday, December 29 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Friends may call from 1-7PM on Sunday, December 28, at the funeral home. The family will not be present at that time, but they will receive friends, prior to the funeral, from 10-11 AM on Monday at the funeral home.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com