Bruce Alan Boydston
08-14-1947 to 03-08-2020
Linn County News
Published March 11, 2020
Bruce Alan Boydston, age 72, of Centerville, Kan., passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2020, surrounded by family on his farm. Bruce was born on Aug. 14, 1947, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Allie Angus Boydston Jr. and June Nadine (McCarty) Boydston.
He attended Parker Rural High School, graduating in 1965, and college at Allen Community College and Pittsburg State University. He then served in the Kansas National Guard from 1969 through 1975.
Bruce was united in marriage to Rita Eileen Drum on Dec. 6, 1969, at the First Christian Church in Garnett. This union blessed them with three wonderful children: Amy, Kerry and Brent. This winter, Bruce and Rita celebrated 50 years of marriage with all members of their wedding party attending a special dinner in Ottawa with family and close friends.
In 2013, Bruce retired from a 30-year career with Kansas Pipeline Operating Co., Olathe. His true love, however, was farming. He spent his entire life as an agriculturist caring for the land, raising cattle and growing crops.
Bruce was a vital part of his community serving as past master of Parker Masonic Lodge No. 341, Linn County Soil Conservation Service (SCS), Linn County Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee, Prairie View High School Board of Education (12 years) and a Flying-C 4-H Club parent leader. He was a man of strong faith and loyally served the Centerville Community Church. His family bestowed “Honorary K-State Wildcat” status upon him after he paid 10 consecutive years of college tuition and lodging bills for his three kids. He loved his Wildcats and cherished the times he and his family spent tailgating, watching football at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and road-tripping to bowl games cheering on Wildcat victories.
He was preceded in death by his father, Allie Boydston Jr., on March 14, 1989.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Rita, of the home; and children Amy (Paul) Taylor, Overland Park, Kerry Wefald, Manhattan, and Brent (Alison) Boydston, O’Fallon, Mo. He also leaves behind eight special grandchildren: Lauren, Abigail and Ella Kate Taylor; Halle and Jonathan Wefald; and Beau, Emery and Lacey Boydston. He is also survived by his mother, Nadine Boydston, of Garnett; and his sister, Marsha (Fred) Baker, Overland Park.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2020, at the Centerville Community Church in Centerville. Bruce’s family will greet friends and family on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice or Prairie Paws Animal Shelter and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
Bruce was a true friend to many. He loved American history, his many dogs and cats, the game of basketball, playing pitch, watching old movies and drinking his Maker’s Mark.
He was a damn good man who will be missed greatly.
OBITUARIES
Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith passed away Saturday June 7, 2025, at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan. She was born on Nov. 19, 1935, in Topeka, Kan., to Neil and Gladys (Goldsmith)... [More]
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Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Ron Arbogast, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78. Born Aug. 31, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kan.,... [More]
Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025

Linn County News Published June 25, 2025 Richard "Dick" Smith, age 83, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in Olathe, Kan., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Pleasanton Cemetery. Contributions... [More]
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- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
- Windfred Allen DeMott ~ 09-15-1940 to 06-07-2025
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- Richard Paul Henderson ~ 07-26-1950 to 06-01-2025
- Rees Lyle Shattuck 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025
- Dixie Bradley Wilkerson 10-15-1939 to 05-30-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
NEWS
NOTICE:

Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd.
Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]
Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]
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SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]
Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]
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- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
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- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
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- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

