Linn County News
Published April 23, 2025
Anna Louise (Dysart) Stites passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at Parkview Heights in Garnett, Kan., at the age of 78.
Louise was born on Sept. 27, 1946, at the Carter Hospital in Garnett and grew up in rural Linn County near Centerville, the oldest of two sisters born to Walter Dale Dysart and Erma Lee (Gorrell) Dysart.
She was married to her high school sweetheart, Marvin Vail Stites, on July 10, 1963. They raised two sons, Lonnie Vail Stites, of Spring Hill and Dale Lee Stites, of rural Centerville. Marvin died on Feb. 1, 2009.
Louise and Marvin lived for a short time in Pratt before returning to her father’s farm in 1980, which is still in operation through their efforts and those of their son, Dale.
During this time Louise and Marvin were active volunteers for the Linn County Fire Department and Marvin served in the Linn County Sheriffs’ Office, eventually being elected Sheriff in 1995. Louise became an employee of the U.S. Postal Service, serving as Postmaster in Centerville, Parker and Colony, retiring in 2009 after 17 years.
Her family having farmed in this area of Kansas for several generations, Louise had a great love of genealogy and history which became an important hobby, resulting in becoming a longtime volunteer at the Parker Historical Society as well as President of the Friends of the Parker Public Library. She was successful in proving, and proud to claim, membership in the Daughters of The American Revolution.
Louise had a quick laugh, a kind heart and made many friends throughout her life. She enjoyed the company of others and was always quick to volunteer and serve her community.
Her heart to serve was never clearer than her commitment to family, past and present. She loved and served grandparents, parents and in-laws, helping to farm, entertain, prepare meals, and explore their heritage.
She was preceded in death by Marvin; her grandparents; and parents. She is survived by a sister, Susan Martin Dysart of Manhattan, Kan., as well as her children: her son Lonnie Vail Stites and his wife, Angie (Lynn) Stites, as well as Dale Lee Stites and his wife, Jo Ann (Grimes) Stites. She has three grandchildren: Logan and his wife, Kara (Mills) Stites, Garrett and his wife, Stephanie (Wehner) Stites and Brianna Stites; three great-grandchildren: Connor, Noah and Stella.
Whether it was fishing the Roaring River, sitting in a grain truck, cooking for family or in the company of friends, Louise enjoyed life and made others’ lives better.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the Centerville Community Church, Centerville, Kan. Burial followed in the Goodrich Cemetery, Parker, Kan., beside her beloved Marvin, parents and grandparents. Louise’s family greeted friends on Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett. Memorial contributions may be made to Parker Historical Society and left in the care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
OBITUARIES
Norma Jeanne (Riley) Long ~ 08-21-1938 to 10-13-2025

Linn County News Published October 22, 2025 Norma Jeanne (Riley) Long, age 87, of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at Vintage Park in Osawatomie, Kan., surrounded by family. Norma was born on Aug. 21, 1938, in Liberal, Kan., to Frederick and... [More]
Geneva Darlene Jennings ~ 11-15-1939 to 10-12-2025

Linn County News Published October 15, 2025 Geneva Darlene Jennings, age 85, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. She was born on Nov. 15, 1939, at Trading Post, Kan., the daughter of Charles and Daisy Rittinghouse Purdy. She graduated from Pleasanton High... [More]
Mary Margaret Wilson ~ 01-08-1930 to 10-13-2025

Linn County News Published October 15, 2025 Mary Margaret Wilson of Mound City, Kan., age 95, was called home to be with the Lord Oct. 13, 2025. She resided at the Anew Healthcare facility in Pleasanton, Kan. She was born in La Cygne, Kan., to Edwin Josheph Riley and Eva... [More]
More Obituaries
- Letha Spillman ~ 06-19-1929 to 10-02-2025
- Mary Alice Fagg ~ 07-30-1933 to 09-25-2025
- John T. Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025
- Paul David Hamilton ~ 11-07-1950 to 09-23-2025
- Lora Lynn West ~ 10-22-1959 to 09-24-2025
- Lois Ann Simons ~ 11-12-1937 to 09-27-2025
- Betty Joan Haupt ~ 10-03-1931 to 09-29-2025
- Carolyn Lee Wilson Dunlop ~ 12-15-1944 to 09-27-2025
NEWS
Souza resigns county clerk post

Linn County’s county clerk is resigning. At the weekly Linn County Commission meeting Tuesday morning, delayed a day because of Monday’s governmental Columbus Day holiday, Danielle Souza spoke during the public comment agenda section of her intention to resign the... [More]
Farmers State Bank under new ownership

Time moves on and things change – and the banking world is not exempt from those changes. When Farmers State Bank owner Dale Sprague passed away in August of 2024, his wife Janice and family made those changes when they sold the three banks this fall to Citizen Bank owner’s... [More]
Linn Valley council updated on water, lagoon projects

Linn Valley city council held its first meeting of the month on Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Lewis Donelson began the meeting by asking city employees present at the meeting to stand up front and introduce themselves and state their job title. The mayor continued by... [More]
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SPORTS
Schneider makes State for Hawks in girls’ golf

Celeste Schneider made the 3-1A State golf tournament again this year for the Lady Hawks and will be looking to earn another State medal. To see the full article, check out this week's edition of the Linn County News or check out the online version here.
Wade and Britz advance to State for the Buffalos

The Prairie View girls’ golf team is doing well. The girls won the Pioneer League championship at Deer Trace on Oct. 7 and then followed that up by placing fourth at 3-1A Sub-State tournament at Crestwood in Pittsburg on Oct. 13. The Lady Buffs won the league tournament... [More]
Blu-Jays convert takeaways into Homecoming win

Pleasanton converted two second-quarter fumble recoveries and a third-quarter interception into passing touchdowns to break a three-game losing skid and claim a 41-6 Homecoming win over Southeast-Cherokee Friday at Blu-Jay Nation Stadium. The victory moves the ‘Jays’... [More]
More Sports
- Lady Jays host league triangular and competes at Uniontown
- Jayhawk volleyball has a busy successful week
- Jayhawk football wins thriller over Pleasanton on Homecoming
- Prairie View football dominates Burlington on Homecoming
- Pleasanton volleyball travels to Arma and Prairie View
- Jayhawk volleyball goes 4-0 on the week
- Pleasanton volleyball competes at Yates Center and Humboldt
- Prairie View football picks up a big win against Wellsville
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
