Aileen Thompson Hurst, 98, of Salinas, Calif., passed away Dec. 8, 2016. She was born Nov. 8, 1918, in Prescott, Kan., to Claude B. and Olga (Faber) Thompson.
She was raised on a farm near Hume, Mo. Aileen grew up on the farm with her family and graduated valedictorian from Hume High School in 1935, two years ahead of her peers. Hume was a very small town, with little or no extracurricular activities. That meant her day was consumed with getting to school very early each day to hitch up and drive the horse-drawn school bus, then go immediately home to help milk up to 80 cows.
When she was 12 or 13, during a Sunday school trip to the Fort Scott public swimming pool, she noticed a handsome man showing off on the diving board. The next time they met he was playing trumpet in a local dance band. Aileen and Fred Hurst were married Sept. 4, 1941. Fred taught music in a number of Kansas public schools until moving to Hutchinson in 1955. At that time, Fred joined with George Johnson to manage, and ultimately own, the Hutchinson Music Center until Fred’s death in 1975. Aileen worked as chief accountant for Gano-Horace Grain until her retirement in 1979.
After her husband’s passing Aileen traveled extensively through Europe, Africa, Alaska, Panama and (in particular) Australia. Her sons were both Marine officers. As they were transferred from one duty station to another she moved nearby to be with her grandchildren.
Aileen is survived by her sons, Lt. Col. Stephen F. Hurst, USMC (Ret) of Salinas, and Maj. Douglas M. Hurst, USMC (Ret) of Montpelier, Va.; grandchildren Jennifer Hughes of Marina, Calif., Frederick D. Hurst, Fullerton, Calif., Heather Cashman of Haleiwa, Hawaii, Caitlin Hurst of Crown Point, Ind., Andrew Hurst, Richmond, Va., and Laura Hurst, Springfield, Va.; great-grandchildren Lizzy Stanton of San Francisco, Calif., Madeline Hughes of Marina, Bobby Hurst of Fullerton, Calif., and Jacob Cashman, Dylan Cashman and Taylor Cashman of Haleiwa.
No funeral services are planned. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Scott, Kan., at a date to be determined.

OBITUARIES

Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

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Linn County News Published June 4, 2025   Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]

Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United... [More]

Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

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Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]

Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

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Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance   Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]

Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

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The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present.    Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]

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SPORTS

Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

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The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]

School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

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The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]

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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

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