Julia Mary Gotheridge Harris, 93, of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Jan. 3, 2017, at Olathe Medical Center. Mary was born Dec. 25, 1923, to Daniel H. and Lulu Wilmoth (Freeland) Gotheridge at Culver, Mo., northeast of Butler.
In February 1925, at the age of 1, Mary moved with her parents and two brothers to a farm north of Selma, Kan., where she lived until she married. She attended Minkler Country School through eighth grade, walking a mile each morning and evening and also meeting the bus at the school for four more years while completing her education at Kincaid High School where she graduated in 1941.
Mary met the love of her life, Warren Kenneth Harris, in early 1941. They were engaged before Warren left for the Army Air Corps on Oct. 9, 1942, to serve in World War II. They married on Aug. 2, 1943, in Iola, Kan., while Warren was home on leave. Warren was sent to the European Theatre soon after their wedding, and they kept in touch by daily letters across the ocean. Warren returned to his love on Aug. 2, 1945, their second wedding anniversary.
They then started their life together in a two-room apartment in Blue Mound before renting a farm with a four-room house in 1946. In 1948 they bought a 160-acre farm west of Prairie Valley School near Blue Mound. As finances allowed they progressively made improvements to their own farmstead until finally moving into a newly completed home there in 1964.
Mary and Warren were blessed with two children, Dennis K. Harris on May 1, 1948, and Jacqueline Sue Harris on Nov. 2, 1950. Warren and Mary joined Blue Mound Methodist Church together in 1949 and were charter members of the 49’ers Sunday School Class.
Mary and Warren worked side by side farming, haying, and raising lots of cattle, hogs, bottle calves, pigs and chickens. In turn, Warren would help Mary with housework. They enjoyed working together and were usually seen together whatever the occasion.
Mary did lots of sewing for their children and numerous school projects as she was room mother for both children for several years. Mary belonged to Prairie Valley Circle and Blue Mound United Methodist Church. She was a stay-at-home mom and wife.
She most enjoyed being with her husband and children. Mary also enjoyed solid walnut furniture and had several pieces, which she and Warren purchased at auctions. In her later years, Mary’s hobbies included collecting dolls, dishes, quilts and other interesting items. Mary loved to be busy. She was not an idle person.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Robey and Walter; two sisters in infancy; her husband of over 68 years Warren; her beloved daughter Jackie Harris Norris; and a great-grandson, Jaden Terry.
She is survived by her son Denny Harris of Blue Mound; and granddaughter Angela Kay Harris Terry and three great-grandchildren, Brandon Terry, Austin Terry and Jenna Terry, all of Louisburg, Kan.
Mary said, “Happiness will be being together with Warren and Jackie forever. My biggest worry will be leaving my son Denny.”
A funeral service for Mary was Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at Blue Mound United Methodist Church. Burial followed in Sunny Slope Cemetery.
The family suggests contributions to Blue Mound Cemetery Improvement and Beautification Fund in care of the Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box J, Mound City, KS 66056. Family and friends may leave online condolences at www.schneiderfunerals.com. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Homes & Crematory, Mound City Chapel.
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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