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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

Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

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Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]

Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

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Linn County News Published July 16, 2025   Ruth Ann Antrim, formerly Hueston, passed away July 7, 2025, after bravely battling cancer for many years. Ruth Ann was 74 years old. She lived and worked in the Mound City and Fort Scott, Kan., areas her... [More]

Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025

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Linn County News Published July 16, 2025   Helen Maxine Wright, age 86, formerly of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away at her home in Abbyville, Kan., on Thursday, June 19, 2025.  Funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Community... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

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SPECIAL: Resurfacing on U.S. 59 in Anderson County to begin in August 4

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Commissioners vote to exceed revenue neutral

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SPORTS

Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

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