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Linn County News

Published June 1,2022

 

Esther was born on a farm southeast of La Cygne on July 20, 1933. She was the second daughter to Bernard L. and Dorothy Lucille Good Phalen. She started her journey to be with her savior on May 29, 2022, at Olathe Health Hospice House.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents Bernard and Dorothy; sister Betty Sue Phalen Eberts; and husband Walter Raymond Shields.
Esther is survived by her children Robert Bernard Johnston and wife Susan, Laura Dennae Shields Burke and William Alan Shields and wife Kelley; three grandsons, Corey Jason Burke and wife Natalie, Philip Phalen Johnston and wife Nikki and Matthew Vincent Johnston and wife Jacquie. She also leaves 8 very special great grand-children. Esther was very proud of her children and the wonderful families they created.

She gave up her senior year of high school to marry Roy Noble Johnston on July 22, 1951. To this union Robert Bernard Johnston was born May 30, 1953. Although they divorced in 1954 they remained lifelong friends. On Dec. 11, 1954, Esther married Walter Raymond Shields and to this union Laura Dennae Shields and William Alan Shields were born. Esther returned to school in the fall of 1962 graduating with the class of 1963. Even though this was a very busy year for her the accomplishment was well worth the effort and she made many lifelong friends.

Esther worked in many jobs over her years. In her teen years she worked for Grace Gettings in her café and helped her parents in the Mobil Gas station at 4th & Market Street. Other jobs included helping mom in Phalen’s Café, book keeper for Wade Quarry, City Clerk for both La Cygne and Pleasanton for nearly 25 years. She also catered alumni banquets as well as weddings and rehearsal dinners. She was also a certified Emergency Medical Technician working for both Linn County and Osawatomie Ambulance service. During the construction of the power plant she bought two houses along Market Street to provide rooms for construction workers along with most evening meals.

Esther had many special skills. Among them was singing which she shared with her church and, as requested, many funerals and weddings. She also loved to paint becoming a certified instructor. She set up shop in the old City Hall building as Esther’s Easel, teaching and sharing her art with others. She was also an avid quilter and her family and friends enjoy many of them.
She was always available for any project that would improve her home town, La Cygne. She volunteered her time to the La Cygne and Linn County Historical Society, La Cygne Alumni Board, Lincoln Township Secretary/Treasurer, Lincoln and Scott Township Hospital Board as well as the La Cygne City Council.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 4, 2022, at the Calvary Baptist Church, La Cygne, Kan. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 3, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel.  Contributions are suggested to Calvary Baptist Church, La Cygne Historical Society or Olathe Hospice House.  Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

OBITUARIES

Jackie “Jack” Howard Shroyer ~ 01-24-1940 to 09-04-2025

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  Linn County News Published September 10, 2025   Jackie "Jack" Howard Shroyer, age 85 of Prescott, Kan., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Jack was born the son of Eugene and Lillie Ruth (Blangy) Shroyer on Jan. 24, 1940, in Prescott, Kan. He... [More]

Wallace “Mack” Probasco ~ 07-05-1959 to 09-02-2025

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Linn County News Published September 10, 2025   Wallace “Mack” Probasco, age 66 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away at his home on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. He was born the son of Francis Mack and Edna E. Wallace Probasco on July 5, 1959, in Fort Scott,... [More]

Martha F. Couch ~ 01-03-1929 to 07-18-2025

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Linn County News Published September 10, 2025   It is with much sorrow that the family of Martha Frasier Couch, a woman of deep faith and compassion, shares the news that she passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025, just months after the passing of her husband, Keith,... [More]

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NEWS

Property taxes and how they work

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In Kansas, there is a definitive process for determining what the property taxes are on any given piece of property. Did you know that according to SmartAsset.com Linn County has the second lowest property tax average in the entire state? According to information available... [More]

Pleasanton Fire Department personnel hiring questioned

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What started out as a department update from Pleasanton Fire Chief Jeff Wisdom, turned into a showdown between councilmembers and the mayor in who was hired as volunteer firefighters in Pleasanton. Wisdom informed the council he was beginning training for new firefighters September... [More]

Commission ‘bares’ down to pass public nudity ban

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Linn County commissioners passed a resolution banning public nudity at its Sept. 2 weekly meeting, delayed a day for the governmental Labor Day holiday. Resolution No. 2025-16, enacted on a 2-0 vote with Alison Hamilton not present, forbids nudity on public property or outside... [More]

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SPORTS

Alvarez leads Pleasanton cross country

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The Pleasanton cross country team traveled to Garnett for their first meet of the year on Sept. 4 at the Annual Jerry Howarter Invitational. The Jays had runners in both the junior high and high school races.  Dominic Alvarez led the Hawks as he earned a medal and placed... [More]

Jayhawk football starts season with shutout over Central Heights

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The Jayhawk Linn football team traveled to Fort Scott on Sept. 5 to host the Central Heights Vikings for their first game of the season. This was supposed to be a home game for the Hawks but had to be played at Fort Scott because the field was not ready. The game began with... [More]

Spradling era kicks off with oohhs and 'Oz'

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Jason Spradling's head coaching era at Prairie View debuted with plenty of oohhs and 'Oz' Friday night. The oohhs came from an offensive running attack that amassed 612 rushing yards, all but 99 in the first half, and saw Buffalo four-year starters Parker Schwarz gain 287 yards... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

OBITUARIES POLICY

• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
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• 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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