Catherine Maxine Maris, 87, of La Cygne, Kan., passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at Medicalodge Nursing Home in Butler, Mo. Born Dec. 3, 1928, in Paola, Kan., and raised in Jingo, Kan., she was a daughter of the late Harold Eugene Mendenhall and Ruby Francis Driskell-Mendenhall.
Maris graduated in 1946 from La Cygne Rural High School. She attended Ursuline Academy where she received her teaching certificate and continued her education at Baker University. She later on received her master’s in teaching from Pittsburg State University.
She worked in multiple one-room schoolhouses starting in 1946 at Sunny Ridge. She continued her teaching career at 96, Prairie Home and Fontana Elementary School, and retired with 31 years of service in teaching at La Cygne Elementary School in 1994. She took a break from teaching from 1962 to 1977 to raise her children and help out with the daily activities of her and her husband’s Grade A dairy farm.
Maxine was a member of the Eastern Star, Linn County Republican Women, E.H.U. and P.E.O. She was a 4-H leader and was involved in multiple community activities including planning for the annual La Cygne Fiesta and Christmas caroling around the town each December. She was an avid bridge player and loved to golf, attend Kansas City Chiefs football games and support her grandchildren in multiple 4-H and FFA activities. She was also a devoted member of the La Cygne United Methodist Church and La Cygne United Methodist Women.
Maris was married to the late Ashley J. Maris on Aug. 3, 1952. She had two children, the late Sheryl Rae Maris and Mark Ashley Maris of Gardner, Kan. Also surviving are grandchildren, Michael Maris of Gardner, Kirsty Hartley of Salina, Kan., Taylor Morrison, great-granddaughter Bexleigh Morrison of Hume, Mo., and Dacota Maris of Butler, Mo. She is also survived by one sister, Illene Kettler of Paola, Kan.; and one brother, Eugene Mendenhall of Linn Valley, Kan.
Services were held Monday June 6, 2016, at the La Cygne United Methodist Church with the Rev. Don Gaffney officiating. Interment was in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials be made to La Cygne United Methodist Church Memorial, Linn County 4-H Council or the Prairie FFA Association.
Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel.
OBITUARIES
Jeffery Lynn Brown ~ 09-10-1958 to 10-22-2025
Linn County News Published November 5, 2025 Jeffery Lynn Brown, age 67, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kan. He was born Sept. 10, 1958, in Fulton, Kan., the son of Derald Dean... [More]
Darlene Ann Sumners ~ 05-19-1935 to 10-21-2025
Linn County News Published Oct. 29, 2025 Darlene Ann Sumners, age 90, of Centerville, Kan., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. No services are scheduled. Memorial contributions are suggested to Centerville Community Church or Shriners Children's Hospital. ... [More]
Lillie Mae Jackson ~ 04-23-1928 to 10-22-2025
Linn County News Published November 5, 2025 Lillie Mae Jackson, age 97 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. She was born the daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Viola Mae Brant Wurtz on April 23, 1928 in Mound City, Kan. Lillie married... [More]
More Obituaries
- Monica Joy (Goebel) Mullins ~ 12-30-1965 to 10-20-2025
- Kelly Renee Moore ~ 08-02-1963 to 10-13-2025
- Norma Jeanne (Riley) Long ~ 08-21-1938 to 10-13-2025
- Geneva Darlene Jennings ~ 11-15-1939 to 10-12-2025
- Mary Margaret Wilson ~ 01-08-1930 to 10-13-2025
- 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
NEWS
Pleasanton Fire Chief speaks on ISO notification
Pleasanton Fire Chief Jeff Wisdom reported to the Pleasanton City Council on Monday evening that he had received an email last Friday indicating that the city is officially in regression. This means that the city’s Public Protection Classification (PPC) has worsened, leading... [More]
USD 362 board accepts roofing, telephone system bids
Prairie View Unified School District 362’s board of education awarded unanimously bids both for a roofing and a telephone system upgrade at its Oct. 21 monthly meeting. The roof is the first of a four-phase plan for replacement above the high school, this first one above... [More]
Pleasanton council passes motion, gives hiring power to police chief
During the Monday night meeting of the Pleasanton City Council, council member Aaron Portmann read a prepared statement regarding recent events and actions at the meetings held previously and then moved to have the city attorney draft an ordinance granting the power of appointment... [More]
More News
- Former Zoning Administrator explains KORA requests
- Pleasanton Council overrides mayor veto on firefighter appointments
- Snyder appointed Linn County Register of Deeds
- Blue Mound to apply for KDHE loan for sewer project
- Souza resigns county clerk post
- Farmers State Bank under new ownership
- Linn Valley council updated on water, lagoon projects
- Suit filed in Sunshine Meadows building permit case
SPORTS
Prairie View cross country qualifies two for State
The Prairie View cross country team traveled to Neodesha on Oct. 25 to compete in a 3A Regional to determine who makes the 3A State cross country meet. The Buffalos did well and the girls, as a team, placed fifth overall with a score of 115. To see the full article, check... [More]
Blu Jays’ Alvarez qualifies for State at Regionals
The Pleasanton cross country team brought their best runner in Dominic Alvarez to Central Heights on Oct. 25 to compete in a 1A Regional. The regional determines who makes the 1A State cross country meet and Alvarez qualified for the State meet by placing eighth at Regionals... [More]
Buffs grind on, record setting night sets scene to capture district title at Iola
Despite recent off-field adversity, Prairie View’s football team continues to grind on, as evidenced by their 52-20 Pioneer League runners-up and Class 3-A, District 2 championship efforts Friday night at Iola. Buffalo generational talent Parker Schwarz had a night for... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View football stays on top of their district with big win over Girard
- Prairie View volleyball finishes season at Girard
- Jays lock in league runner up spot at Uniontown
- Jayhawk football routs Southeast Cherokee
- Pleasanton volleyball goes 2-2 in final week of the regular season
- Schneider makes State for Hawks in girls’ golf
- Wade and Britz advance to State for the Buffalos
- Blu-Jays convert takeaways into Homecoming win
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
• Must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to appear in that week's edition.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• Cost: $40 for 300 words or less. Each additional word over 300, 10¢. Photograph $5.
Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
View Legals for Free
