Nancy J. Underwood, 77, of Avon, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
Nancy was born on October 17, 1946, at Saunders Hospital, in Avon. She was the daughter of Bill and Helen (Dickason) McNeely. Nancy was welcomed home by her sisters, Mary Buffum and Beverly (Dale) Head, brothers Gary (Pat) and Russell and in turn welcomed brother Kenny, all of whom survived her. She was a 1964 graduate of Bushnell/Prairie City schools and in 1995 received an Associate’s Degree in Marketing and Management from the current Dakota College at Bottineau, ND.
At age 5, Nancy contracted Polio. She led a full and active life of work, flower gardening, travel and community service at the Bottineau Food Pantry and traveling throughout the United States and Canada for the next 72 years. Along the way, she married Robert Underwood on November 2, 1974 and together they raised a son Todd (Christina-daughters Emilee and Morganne) and daughter Debra Hendricks (daughter Kandra and son Kent),
Two weeks out of high school, she started as a teller at Tompkins State Bank in Avon and became the face of the drive-up window. This was followed by a stretch in the Collections office at WIU in Macomb. In 1991, after a move to Bottineau, ND, she was hired while unloading the truck as a faculty secretary at NDSU-Bottineau. This was followed by positions in the physical plant, bookstore, 6 years as the girls dorm parent at Gross Hall, and ultimately as technician and coordinator for the Interactive Video Network sending Nursing and other courses throughout the state university system and high schools. Following “retirement” in 2009, she also worked 3 years as the secretary for the Minot City Forestry Department. In 2014, she returned to Avon to be near family.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 PM, Thursday, June 13, 2024 at the Avon Federated Church, Fellowship Hall 206 South Main Street, Avon, IL 61415. Cremation rites will be accorded after visitation. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory, Knoxville are assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be donated to the Avon Federated Church or to MDH Hospice in honor of Nancy. On-line condolences or expressions of sympathy may be made through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com
