Linn County News
Published February 26, 2025
Emma Darlene Peek, age 89 of Neosho, Mo., formerly of Amoret, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo. She was born May 11, 1935, to Harold Joseph and Juanita May Hoyt Hoaglan in Merwin, Mo.
Darlene, the oldest of three children, grew up in La Cygne, Kan., and was a 1953 graduate of La Cygne High School. On Aug. 12, 1953, she married Harry Lee Armstrong and to this union, four children were born. The marriage ended after 25 years. In 1980 she moved to Amoret, Mo., where she attended the Amoret Christian Church. Darlene began working at the Osawatomie State Hospital in 1957 and continued working for the State of Kansas until her retirement in 1993. She was one of 42 founders of Kansas Alcohol and Drug Counsel Association in 1974 and remained a senior counselor until 1995.
In 1986 Darlene married Albert Lee Peek and they continued to live in Amoret after living one year in Peculiar, Mo. While living in Amoret, they were active in the Amoret Christian Church and helping people in the community. Together they enjoyed fishing, camping and traveling – where they made many friends all over the United States.
Darlene is survived by her children, Katherine Juanita Waldmen and husband, Mike, of Springfield, Mo., Darla Lee Armstrong of Neosho, Mo., Harold Dean Armstrong and wife, Kim, of Thornsby, Ala., Roger Lee Peek and wife, Brenda, of Peculiar, Mo., Eddie Peek and wife, Monica of Butler, Mo., Judy Kay Wilson and Betsy Sue Dunkin and husband, Gary, all of Harrisonville, Mo.; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Iva Loree Mendenhall and husband, Eugene, of Linn Valley, Kan.; and many nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Albert Lee Peek, on June 26, 2019; two sons, Wilbur Alan Armstrong and Ronnie Peek; and a sister, Lenara June Kile and her husband, Raymond.
Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 24, 2025 at Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler, Mo. Visitation prior to services were held on Monday at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Burial was in Wills Cemetery, Peculiar, Mo. In lieu of flowers, contributions to American Heart Association. Online condolences may be left at www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
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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- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- 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
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

