Our precious mother, grandma, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend left her earthly home Dec. 12, 2014, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa.
Odiva Jean Little Elder Ethridge was born in Cameron, Texas Dec. 3, 1927 to Grady and Oma (Weems) Little. That remained her home until her marriage to Frank Elder of Salina, Kan., in 1945. He preceded her in death in 1976. To this union six children were born.
For most of their married life they resided in rural Saline County, Kan., where they farmed. Jean, as she was known, worked at Salina’s First United Methodist Church for 38 years as a church hostess. She was a dedicated 4-H club leader, a Sunday School teacher, a charter member of Salina TOPS club, the Peacemakers SS Class, a lifetime member of the VFW, Federated Women, (OES) and United Methodist Women Altar Society.
She married Eugene Ethridge in 1980 in Salina, Kan., who also preceded her death in 1994.
Jean loved all sports and was an avid KU, K-State and Dallas Cowboys fan. Jean loved music of all kinds from country to opera. She loved a good story and laughed with her whole being. She loved her family and gave them her all, often going without so they could have. She often worked day and night to keep food on the table and clothing. She made the best angel food cake in the world and was a genius at telling scary Halloween stories. She made homemade butter, clothes, ice-cream, and shared with anyone who was in need.
She welcomed everyone into her home, regardless of background, ethnicity or spiritual persuasion. You never knew who would be sleeping on a pallet in the front room in the morning, or how many new faces with whom you would share the holiday table. She loved with passion and true commitment. She loved without regard to others’ worth and ability to love back.
She was a confidante and friend to an endless number of United Methodist Youth Fellowship kids at the church who ate her cooking and called her “friend.”
In addition to the deaths of her two husbands, she lost two sons, Grady in 2008 and Lyle in 2010.
Survivors include her children, Faye (Elder) and husband Marvin Clements of La Cygne, Kan.; Carol (Elder) and husband Richard Doran Jr. of Harlan, Iowa, Paula Lynn (Elder) and husband Clayton Anderson of Birch Tree, Mo., Bryan Elder and wife Pam of Yukon, Okla.; daughter-in-law Linda Elder of La Cygne, Kan.; 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; cousins; extended family and friends.
She touched everyone she met; she continues to give to others in death. At a future date, a memorial service will be held in Harlan, Iowa where she resided for the last nine years of her life. Burial will be in Bennington, Kan., next to Frank.
Donations may be made to the Saline County, Kansas 4-H Foundation, gifts to be used for scholarships to 4-H Camp in Rock Springs, Kan.
Michael P. Jones
Managing Partner
OBITUARIES
David Howard McNabb, Ph.D. ~ 06-04-1947 to 05-11-2024
Linn County News Published May 15, 2024 David Howard McNabb, 76, passed away May 11, 2024 at home in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. The son of a farmer, Dave was born June 4, 1947, to Henry and Alice (Jackson) McNabb at Pleasanton. Education and research were always... [More]
Marci Ann Betts ~ 08-06-1973 to 05-09-2024
Linn County News Published May 15, 2024 Marci Ann Betts, age 50, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Thursday, May 9, 2024. She was born on Aug. 6, 1973, in Kansas City, Mo. Marci loved her grandkids and enjoyed spending time with them. She enjoyed being outdoors. She... [More]
Randall Jay “Randy” Crisler ~ 10-03-1961 to 05-09-2024
Linn County News Published May 15, 2024 Randall Jay “Randy” Crisler age 62 of Lane, Kan., died Thursday May 9, 2024, at Olathe Medical Center. Randy was born Oct. 03, 1961, in North Kansas City, Mo. He was the eldest of two, born to Larry L. and Janet... [More]
More Obituaries
- Clarence Lee Miller ~ 08-07-1962 to 05-08-2024
- Ruby M. Nielson ~ 01-21-1932 to 04-27-2024
- Patty Conklin ~ 08-31-1932 to 04-26-2024
- Robert “Bob” Eugene Markley ~ 04-11-1936 to 04-15-2024
- Ronald Joe Smith ~ 05-10-1944 to 04-11-2024
- Mary Tinsley ~ 12-15-1935 to 04-09-2024
- Frederick John “Fritz” Johanning, Jr. ~ 08-10-1948 to 03-26-2024
- Doris Maxine Basore ~ 01-02-1920 to 03-10-2024
NEWS
Commissioners hear engineer on Hell’s Bend Bridge
Motion to accept grant funds fails for lack of second Linn County Public Works Administrator Shawn West spoke to Commissioners again this week on the Hell’s Bend bridge project, northwest of La Cygne, noting that a decision needed to be made that day as it was... [More]
Pleasanton pound pups get new kennels
After a warning from the state concerning the condition of Pleasanton’s animal shelter, the city and STARS faculty and students joined forces to create a safer, cleaner environment for dogs held by the city. The new kennels were constructed by STARS welding, construction... [More]
Pleasanton discusses Kansas Police & Fire Pension membership
While trying to hire more police officers, the Pleasanton Council met with KPERS representative Paige Ashley to discuss enrolling the city in Kansas Police and Fire Pension System (KP&F). Ashley explained that the KP&F system is two-tiered as police officers and firemen... [More]
More News
- Commissioners hear reports on Hell’s Bend Bridge
- La Cygne Fire Station ribbon cutting held
- Evergy reps speak about bridges at commissioners’ meeting
- Special: U.S. 69 resurfacing project starts this week
- Special: Governor issues State of Disaster Emergency proclamation for approaching severe weather
- Commissioners hear damage report, declare county as state, local disaster site
- Mayor vetoes vacating 7th Street off of Main
- USD 362 to wait on admin addition
SPORTS
Jayhawk Linn track wins Three Rivers League meet
The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Northeast Arma on May 9 to compete in the Three Rivers League meet. The Hawks were the class of the Three Rivers as both the boys and girls placed first at the meet. The girls placed first with a score of 121 while the boys placed first... [More]
Pleasanton baseball falls in Regional semifinal
The Pleasanton baseball team entered the Central Heights 2-1A Regional tournament as a three seed. The Jays hosted the six seed Jayhawk Linn in their first game on May 8 and won 7-5. The next game was at Central Heights on May 13 where they faced the two seed Crest. This is where... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk and Pleasanton baseball split in double header
- Prairie View softball goes 4-0 against Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk track has a strong performance at home invitational
- Prairie View track takes top two places at Jayhawk
- Pleasanton track has a school record mark set at Jayhawk Invitational
- Prairie View softball goes 4-2 in busy week
- Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and Oswego
- Jayhawk baseball splits against Southeast Cherokee
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com