Linn County News
Published Nov. 11, 2020
Vera F. (Irwin) Williamson, age 94 (when we were kids she always said she was 29,) passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, reunited in heaven with A.K. “Kay”, her beloved husband of 62 years. Mom saved and cherished the love letters dad sent while serving in the Marines during WWII. Mom loved coffee! She would drink a pot of coffee a day. One time when we were living in what we called The Big House, I found her stockpile of Folger’s coffee in the old cupboard on the back porch. She said, ‘I don’t want to run out!’
She also loved popcorn, and an occasional snickers bar. As kids growing up, every Sunday night, popcorn was what we had for dinner. Big bowls of hot buttery popcorn, popped on top of the stove; that comforting aroma filled the house.
Mom and dad were wonderful parents, creating the childhood of dreams for us kids. We went fishing and camping every weekend. Mom would fry up the tiniest fish we caught (with fried potatoes and onions). We were leading the life of kings!
Music and church
were an important part of her life. She played piano and organ at church
for 50 years and was also the Choir Director. When we were young, she sat
with her back to the congregation at the piano. She had a mirror on the
side where she could see if we were behaving. If not, she would make us go
sit beside her on the piano bench; you never wanted that to happen.
Mom began working outside of the home long before most women. Her career
spanned 30 years for the Kansas State Dept. of Social and Rehabilitation Services; working
as Tri-County Supervisor with the focus on child and adult protection, foster care
and nursing home licensing. She was a founding board member of the Southeast
Kansas Tri-County Mental Health Dept. and Chairman of the Tri-County Community
Corrections Advisory Board; serving on both for over 30 years. She rarely
spoke about what she did, but we always knew she dedicated her life to helping
others.
Described as a community leader and path finder, she was also actively involved with the Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary, serving every position from President on down over the years. Mom created an extensive genealogy collection and when asked why, she laughed and said she was looking for the horse thief! She traced our ancestry and became a member of DAR.
Becoming snow birds, mom and dad lived in South Texas every winter for over 25 years. There you could find her leading the Kitchen Band, Computer Club, Dances, Quilting and Red Hats. You knew never to call her at 4 p.m. because she would be at a Patio Party; she loved having fun! If you ever had the pleasure of being in her home you know how beautifully she displayed her collections. She loved antiques, collectables, crocks, milk bottles and Santa Claus (she loved Christmas!) etc. She enjoyed her extensive stamp and coin collections and in her free time, she hand-quilted over 17 full sized quilts. Mom was a speed reader and could read a book in a day. She enjoyed mystery books and called them Whodunnit’s. As a small-town gal, mom loved the excitement of traveling and cruising. For her 90th birthday celebration our family went on a cruise. The word around Mound City was ‘Did you go on the Cruise?’ as it seemed the whole town knew! A cherished memory. We celebrate the wonderful life of our beautiful, sweet mother. Looking forward to our next Five Star Day! (what we call a perfect day) when we will see her smile again, in Heaven.
Funeral service
will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at the Mound City United Methodist
Church with burial in the Woodland Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m.
to service time at the Church. Contributions are suggested to the
Methodist Church, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box J, Mound City, KS
66056. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.
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
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com