Linn County News
Published April 2, 2025
Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites, age 84, of Mound City, Kan., passed away peacefully in her sleep March 26, 2025, at the Olathe Medical Center, after an extended illness.
Born on Feb. 13, 1941, the third child of Jacob and Erma (Giffin) Bishop, the only girl in the middle of five brothers, she learned to tolerate orneriness and teasing at an early age. Living with these brothers made her strong and independent with a wicked sense of humor.
On Oct. 25, 1959, Donna married Ralph Stites after a three-month courtship that started on a blind date. Shortly after the wedding they moved to Galveston, Texas, but by Christmas were so homesick for Kansas they moved back. After buying the farm between Blue Mound and Mound City in 1961, from Ralph’s parents, Donna never moved again.
To this union, three children were born, Linda, Andy, who passed away in 1968 at the age of 4, and Lori.
Donna loved Ralph and Ralph loved the farm, so Donna happily lived farm life for 64 years.
Donna did lots of canning and preserving, because Donna loved Ralph, and Ralph loved huge gardens.
Donna loved Ralph and Ralph loved Donna. Together they made a great team, supporting and encouraging each other for 52 years.
Donna loved to sew, knit, cook, bake, collect antiques, refurnish furniture and remodel her home. Since early childhood, she was a lover and collector of buttons. She belonged to the National Button Society and the Kansas State Button Society, five times traveling out of state to attend the National Button Convention.
Donna was an active member of the Wall Street Christian Church, teaching Sunday School and organizing lots of Bible School crafts. She took pride in the fact that her great-great-grandfather, Thomas McGee was a founding member of the church. She loved playing her autoharp and helped organize the Wall Street Christian Strings.
In addition to being a farm wife, Donna ran a wallpapering business, and worked as a para for the 1st and 2nd grade before going to work for the Linn County Motor Vehicle Department. She retired after 20-plus years to follow her dream job, being the “lunch lady” at the Blue Mound Grade School. After loving on, cooking for, and entertaining “her kids” for several years, she retired back to farm life and her many hobbies.
Donna was preceded in death by husband Ralph; son Andy; her parents; and brothers Waverly, Danny and Mike. Donna is survived by her two daughters Linda (Jim) of Mound City, and Lori of Olathe; two brothers, Roy Bishop of Olathe and Lester Bishop (Vickie) of Moran; three grandchildren, Grant (Amee) of Pittsburg, Heather Tildes (Jeff) of Lawrence, and Allison Simons of Mound City; three great-grandchildren, Kolby, William and Harper; as well as a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2025, at the Wall Street Church. Burial will be in the Sunny Slope Cemetery, Blue Mound, Kan. Memorial contributions are suggested to Ronald McDonald House. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.
OBITUARIES
Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025

Linn County News Published April 23, 2025 Dr. Howard F. Wilson, age 87, of Garnett, Kan., passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kan. Howard Frank Wilson was born on Feb. 5, 1938, in Garden City, Mo. He was the... [More]
Anna Louise Stites ~ 09-27-1946 to 04-13-2025

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... [More]
Sandra Kay “Sandy” Crooks ~ 01-08-1949 to 04-13-2025

Linn County News Published April 16, 2025 Sandra Kay “Sandy” Crooks, age 76, Parker, Kan., passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025. She was born on Jan. 8, 1949, in Indianapolis, Ind., the daughter of Lewis E. and Margaret R. Slagle. Sandy was united in marriage... [More]
More Obituaries
- Richard Lee Keaton ~ 01-29-1935 to 04-05-2025
- Linda Ann Pruitt ~ 05-08-1953 to 04-07-2025
- Ira “Sonny” Ray Caruthers, Jr. ~ 05-23-1955 to 04-02-2025
- Michelle Lynn Young ~ 05-20-1967 to 04-04-2025
- Phyllis Sybil Colbert ~ 11-23-1935 to 03-28-2025
- Joseph Francis “Mr. Joe” Cunningham ~ 03-17-1967 to 03-31-2025
- Warren Edward Knight ~ 04-27-1936 to 03-26-2025
- Frank Scott DeRemus ~ 06-21-1967 to 03-04-2025
NEWS
Notice

The Linn County News and Linn County Printing will be closed on Good Friday, April 18, in observance of the Easter holiday. We wish you all a blessed Easter!
Public comment results in allegations of unethical behavior

Following the approval of claims and adds and abates at the Monday meeting of the Linn County Commissioners, Jason Hightower, Commissioner for District 1, requested a 15-minute session to review the Code of Ethics to be added to the open agenda for the meeting directly ahead... [More]
Parker reinstates local policing

City seeks both chief and codes officer, hires law firm as legal counsel The city of Parker has begun its process of reinstating its police department. At their monthly meeting Thursday, the council voted unanimously to advertise for a police chief, but not before... [More]
More News
- Two charged following vehicular incident in Parker
- Pleasanton approves zoning request
- La Cygne leaders talk future street improvements
- Mound City council raises water rates
- Commissioners terminate public works administrator
- Parker may reconsider police presence
- PWWSD13 explains rate increase
- Pleasanton to hold town hall on eliminating city fire department
SPORTS
Jayhawk baseball earns first victories of the season

The Jayhawk baseball team earned their first victories of the season this past week. The Hawks hosted St. Paul on April 7 and hosted Marmaton Valley on April 10. Jayhawk swept St. Paul in their double-header, 16-6 and 18-0, while falling to Marmaton Valley in their double-header,... [More]
Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ track teams win Oswego Invitational

The Pleasanton track team traveled to Oswego on April 8 to compete in the Oswego Invitational. The Jays did very well as both the girls’ and boys’ teams placed first. Here are the individual results through the top six places in each event. Boys’ Events... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View softball drops close games against Santa Fe Trail
- Pleasanton baseball falls to Southeast Cherokee and Marmaton Valley
- Jayhawk softball splits against Central Heights
- Prairie View softball starts season 3-1
- Pleasanton baseball opens season 2-2 against Oswego and Crest
- Jayhawk softball starts season 3-3
- 2025 Boys’ Basketball All County team
- 2025 Girls’ Basketball All County team
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

