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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

Linda Sue Tyson ~ 01-24-1942 to 03-21-2025

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Linn County News Published March 26, 2025   Linda was born on Jan. 24, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., to Lester and Almeta Prentice. She was the oldest of three children. Her sisters are Elizabeth (Barnett) and Judy (Scully). Linda grew up near Parker, Kan., and attended... [More]

Brent Ross Wheeler ~ July 27, 1956 – March 22, 2025

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Linn County News Published March 26, 2025   Brent Ross Wheeler, 68, of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away peacefully on March 22, 2025 surrounded by his loving family.  He was born on July 27, 1956 in Fort Scott in the back seat of his parent’s car to Ralph and... [More]

Alice Walker ~ 09-03-1928 to 03-20-2025

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Linn County News Published March 26, 2025   After living a full and adventurous life of ninety-six years, Alice Walker of rural Blue Mound passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Alice Amy Frazier was born in Kingston, N.Y., on Sept. 3, 1928, to Olen and Eleanor (Griffes)... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

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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During the March 24 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners heard from Linn County Public Works Administrator Shaun West on a grant possibility for repair work to the courthouse. SEKRPC (SEK Regional Planning Commission) is willing to assist with the HPF (Historic Preservation... [More]

La Cygne accepts deed conveyance on split vote

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Meeting also features new legal hire following Harding resignation   On a 2-1 vote, La Cygne’s council has empowered its mayor to sign a letter seeking completion of a deed transfer on condemned property. At last Wednesday’s regular meeting, Jerome Mitzner’s... [More]

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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.
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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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