Linn County News
Published March 6, 2019
Dallas Fenster was born in California on Oct. 25, 1944, and was adopted in January 1945 by Harry and Eleanor Fenster. He passed on Feb. 28, 2019.
As a young child his family moved to Yuma, Colo., where Dallas was raised. He played on the 1960 Yuma High School Colorado State Championship football team, and would later attend Kearney State College, where he was also part of their 1963 National Championship football team.
At Kearney, Dallas met and married Carol Barney, his wife of 53 years. After college, Dallas and Carol resided in Nebraska where he worked in the transportation industry and farmed for most of his career.
To the union, Dallas and Carol had five children, Tony Fenster (1967-2015); Brenda Fenster Ries of Mt. Tabor, N.J.; Angela Fenster Moore of Olathe, Kan.; Randy (Roy) Fenster of Stevensville, Mont.; and James Fenster of St. James, Mo.
Dallas loved all sports, and was an especially devoted Nebraska Cornhusker football fan. He attended many Holdrege Duster sporting events in support of his children, and could often be found cheering in the stands, alongside the wrestling mat, or at the side of the track with his stopwatch. He continued to be in the stands supporting his grandchildren in their many activities, and he was always proud to tell others of their many accomplishments.
Dallas loved to play golf, and was also an active outdoorsman devoted to hunting and fishing with his family and a treasured group of lifelong friends. Colorado Elk Camp was one of his favorite places in this world to be. He always loved the mountains and being outdoors.
Dallas was also an avid music lover, having sung in the choir at Bethel Lutheran Church and with the 1733 Barbershop Chorus. He shared his love for singing with his children, family and friends.
Dallas and Carol moved to Linn Valley Lakes, Kan., in 2009, where they were blessed with many cherished friends. Dallas enjoyed singing in the church choir and a quartet at Linn Valley Community Church. He also enjoyed playing golf, and having morning coffee in the clubhouse, aka the “office.”
In his late years, Dallas was a loving and devoted caregiver and husband, proud father and grandfather, and member of his church and community. He was full of life and joy, fully committed to his family, and he was deeply loved.
Dallas was preceded in life by his parents Harry and Eleanor Fenster; and his son, Tony Fenster.
He is survived by his wife Carol; his sister, Madeline; his children, Brenda and her husband Richard Ries, Angela and her husband Troy Moore, Randy Fenster, and James and his wife Kaitlin Fenster; and eight grandchildren, TeJay and Ty Fenster, Madison and Malerie Moore, Brian and Sean Ries, and Dallas and Parker Fenster.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Schneider Funeral Home in La Cygne.
Funeral services were held at the Linn Valley Community Church on Tuesday, March 5, with a lunch at the church following.
As a memorial, the family requests donations are made in Dallas’ name to the Children’s Brain Tumor Family Foundation (www.cbtff.org).
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]
Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025

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]
More Obituaries
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
- Windfred Allen DeMott ~ 09-15-1940 to 06-07-2025
- Maxine Breuel ~ 11-20-1926 to 06-07-2025
- 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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- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
- Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges
- USD 346 board learns of overpayments
- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
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]
More Sports
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

