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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

Joseph Francis “Mr. Joe” Cunningham ~ 03-17-1967 to 03-31-2025

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Linn County News Published April 2, 2025   Joseph Francis “Mr. Joe” Cunningham III, passed away Monday, March 31, 2025.  A gathering to celebrate Joe’s life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home... [More]

Warren Edward Knight ~ 04-27-1936 to 03-26-2025

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Linn County News Published April 2, 2025   Warren Edward Knight, a quiet kind man, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Fort Scott, Kan. Warren was 88 years old. He was born in Centerville Kan., on April 27, 1936, to hard working and loving parents Harry Austin... [More]

Frank Scott DeRemus ~ 06-21-1967 to 03-04-2025

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Linn County News Published April 2, 2025   Frank Scott DeRemus age 57 of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at his home in Blue Mound. Scott was born June 21, 1967, in Olathe, Kan., to Frank Fox and Sharon K. (Chadwick) DeRemus. On August 11, 1994,... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

SPECIAL: STATEHOUSE REPORTING BUDGET FOR MARCH 28, 2025

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SPECIAL: U.S. 69 overlay project set to begin in Bourbon and Linn counties

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  Monday, March 31, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin resurfacing work on U.S. 69 in Bourbon and Linn counties. An overlay will be placed on the northbound lanes of U.S. 69, starting at the south U.S. 54 junction in Fort Scott and continuing... [More]

Commissioners learn of grant for planning phase on courthouse repairs

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SPORTS

2025 Boys’ Basketball All County team

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The 2024-2025 high school boys’ basketball has concluded and it is time once again for the annual All County team. As usual choosing the team was tough as there were many good players this season and plenty more that showed steady progress through the season.  As... [More]

2025 Girls’ Basketball All County team

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High school girls’ basketball has concluded for the 2024-25 season and it’s time for the annual All County team. Like the boys’ team, and like most years, choosing players was tough. Plenty of girls from all three schools, Prairie View, Jayhawk Linn and Pleasanton,... [More]

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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

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