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
Lila R. McCarty ~ 05-21-1938 to 03-08-2025

Linn County News Published March 12, 2025 Lila R. McCarty, age 86, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025 in Richmond, Kan. A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. ... [More]
Norma Jean Harvey ~ 09-26-1935 to 02-21-2025

Linn County News Published March 5, 2025 Norma Jean Harvey, age 89, of Mound City, Kan., passed away Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. She was born on Sept. 26, 1935, in Kansas City, Kan., the daughter of William and Alta Pemberton Keener. She graduated from Turner High School.... [More]
Elizabeth Joyce Keaton ~ 02-14-1936 to 03-01-2025

Linn County News Published March 5, 2025 Elizabeth Joyce Keaton, age 89, Parker, Kan., passed away Saturday, March 1, 2025. Joyce was born on Feb. 14, 1936, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Owen and Mildred Smith Gilchrist. She was united in marriage to Richard... [More]
More Obituaries
- Keith Couch ~ 06-22-1927 to 03-01-2025
- Michael Anthony Taylor ~ 11-21-1957 to 01-21-2025
- Barbara Jean Harbison ~ 10-16-1939 to 02-20-2025
- Jerold Chester Davis ~ 05-13-1937 to 02-19-2025
- Emma Darlene Peek ~ 05-11-1935 to 02-08-2025
- Raymond “Ray” Eugene Holsman ~ 10-08-1944 to 02-18-2025
- Lisa Courtois ~ 07-15-1966 to 02-16-2025
- Patricia Galcatcher ~ 10-29-1958 to 02-13-2025
NEWS
Commissioners discuss new option for Devlin Road

During the meeting of the Linn County Commissioners on March 10, Renee Slinkard of rural Parker, asked once again that the county look into the possibility of paving a three and half mile section of Devlin Road. Slinkard told the commissioners, as she had previously, that the... [More]
Board votes to extend Meik contract

Ray Scholarship discussed at USD 344 board meeting Meeting Monday night, again with a packed board room, the Board of USD 344 voted to extend Elementary Principal Nathan Meik’s contract through the 2026/2027 school year in a 4-3 vote; board members Cindy Inman,... [More]
Resident questions legal opinion on approved minor plat

On March 10, Jan Longnecker spoke to the Linn County Commissioners regarding a legal opinion given at the previous meeting on March 3 on the minor plat that was approved by a former Planning and Zoning Administrator for a property near Parker. Longnecker began by stating he wasn’t... [More]
More News
- Pleasanton Council moves forward with street grant process
- La Cygne leaders approve water plant maintenance
- Blue Mound hears updates on possible water tower project
- Linn Valley eyes potential economic development opportunity
- Pleasanton council discusses compactor contract
- Plane crashes in Linn County duck marsh, pilot calls 9-1-1
- Parker dissolves police department--for now
- STARS votes to separate from FSCC for upcoming school year
SPORTS
Pleasanton boys’ basketball earns Sub-State runner-up

The Pleasanton boys’ basketball team had quite the run to their Sub-State tournament bracket this year. The Jays were in the 2A Yates Center Sub-Sate Bracket 1 as a five seed. They won their first game against the 12 seed Eureka on Feb. 27 to advance to the semifinal... [More]
Prairie View girls’ basketball ends season against Neodesha

The Prairie View girls’ basketball team traveled to Neodesha on March 4 to compete in the 3A girls’ basketball Columbus Sub-State Bracket #2 semifinal. The girls reached this game by defeating Iola in the first round on Feb. 27 at Prairie View, 39-35. In this... [More]
More Sports
- McCarty leads Lady Hawks with a fourth-place finish at State
- Blu-Jays win sub-state shootout
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling sends five to State
- Prairie View boys’ wrestling sends three to State
- Blu-Jays defeat two Missouri foes
- Jayhawk girls’ wrestling places third at East Regional as seven qualify for State
- Prairie View girls’ wrestling qualify six for State
- Pleasanton basketball faces TRL foes Southeast Cherokee and Northeast Arma
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

