Patsy Elsine Smith, 72, of rural Argyle, Iowa, died at her home on 09/16/2024. She now
celebrates in eternal joy with her Lord Jesus Christ.
Patsy was born on July 6, 1952, in Quincy, Illinois. She was the daughter of Clarence
and Gladys Lanning of rural Ursa, Illinois. She attended Greenfield Elementary School
near Marcelline, Illinois, before moving to Sutter, Illinois, in the Warsaw School district,
where she graduated in 1970. She earned multiple typing and business class awards
and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Over the years, Patsy worked at Paper Box in Quincy, Wells Way Cleaning & Fire
Restoration, Happy Homes in rural Keokuk, and cleaned the homes of many devoted
customers. She and her husband Stephen were owners of Horsin’ Around Farms,
where they shared Christian messages along with wagon rides, wiener roasts, and
games with the horses and donkeys. You may have seen their Wobble Wagon in
various local parades. They also had a ministry of taking their donkeys and horses to
area nursing homes and schools. In later years, Stephen and Patsy served as a Harvest
Hosts campsite.
Patsy had been a member of Bethlehem United Church of Christ in her childhood and
adulthood. Once she married and moved to Argyle, she became a member of the
Warsaw Presbyterian Church. More recently, she was attending services at St
Francisville Community Church in Alexandria, Missouri.
Patsy married Carl Sparrow in 1970, and they had two children. They later divorced.
Patsy married Stephen Smith in 1997, and he survives. She is survived by her children
Melissa (Alan) Brewer of Hamilton, Illinois, and Dennis (Lynne) Sparrow of Quincy,
Illinois. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jacob (Courtney) Ayers of Peoria and
their daughter Elliot Jane, Lizzie (Zack) Taylor of Peoria and their daughters Hazel
Evelyn and Ruby Elizabeth, Sam Sparrow (currently deployed to Estonia with the US
Army) and Emma Sparrow of Bloomington, Illinois. She is survived by an older brother,
Jerry (Linda) Lanning of Sutter, Illinois, and a younger brother, Leroy (Kris) Lanning of
Plymouth, Illinois. Other survivors include several nieces and nephews, cousins, and
her treasured horses and donkeys.
Services will be held at 4:00 PM Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Printy Funeral Home
in Warsaw, Illinois. Family will meet friends from 2:00 PM until time of services at 4:00 at
the funeral home. Memorials suggested to the great granddaughters' college funds. A
private spreading of her ashes will occur when Sam is able to return to the US.