Linn County News
Published January 11, 2023
Esther Louise Kerns Rockwell was born in Kansas City in 1931, to Bessie and Jess Kerns and spent most of her youth living in Kansas. She passed away at the age of 92 Jan. 7.
Her family mostly resided in LaCygne, some summers were spent in Wichita as her dad Jess Kerns worked there on occasion. After graduating from high school in 1949 she dated and then married Gene Rockwell in 1950, also from LaCygne. Together they enjoyed traveling as Gene was in the Air Force, stationed in various places around the world, from Taiwan back to the states in Texas, Washington state, Missouri, and Germany. One year Gene went to Vietnam, and left Esther alone with her two sons in Kansas City so they would have family nearby. Esther learned at a young age how to work, starting at the old broom factory in LaCygne at 14 years of age. She held various jobs throughout her life. She was not afraid to work.
Esther and Gene had three sons, their first being Michael, who died days after birth; their second son Larry, and their third son, Richard. Esther enjoyed family life, gardening, cooking and baking. She could make quilts, afghans , doilies, dresses and other crafts . Esther had many talents, probably the most prized talent, she was kind and considerate, she was sweet and encouraging, and she was compassionate. Esther enjoyed camping and traveling with Gene after they became empty nesters. They drove to Montana and all states in-between, Arizona and Louisiana and Arkansas and Missouri, they loved spending time together. Gene loved her dearly.
Esther was loved by many friends and her family. She made a difference in many lives, by her acts of kindness and sweet words of compassion. Esther had ten grandchildren, Trina Marie, Amber Sue, Heather Jo, Katherine, Wesley, Dustin, Stephanie Jackson, Melinda Mcwhorter, Ashley Ann Hamm, Zachary Daniel. Esther has nine great-grandchildren. Esther left her mark on this world through her talents. She brought joy, kindness, and love. She spoke ill of no one. She was amazingly sweet and kind. She lived life. She knew how to listen when spoken to. She would always surprise people with gifts or baked goods. Esther loved her family, from in-laws to her nieces and nephews, to her own children. Esther loved her neighbors, treated them as well and sometimes better than her own children! And for good reason. They watched out for her and would help her in any way. This made her children happy that they would help when her children were far away and could not be there for her. Our lives are better for knowing Esther Rockwell. She taught as the Lord commanded; treat others as we would want to be treated. Esther was a very special person that we will all surely miss. God rest her soul. Esther is survived by her son Rick, his wife Diane of Gravette Arkansas, sister in law Ethel Young of Emporia, a host of nieces and nephews, as well as many friends and neighbors
Graveside funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at the Oak Lawn Cemetery in LaCygne, Kansas. Friends and relatives may gather at 12 noon at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, LaCygne Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to Oak Lawn Cemetery, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, LaCygne, Kan. 66040
OBITUARIES
Robert “Bob” Eugene Markley ~ 04-11-1936 to 04-15-2024
Linn County News Published April 17, 2024 Robert (Bob) Eugene Markley, 88, was born on his family farm north of Mound City, Kansas, April 11, 1936, to Aaron R. and Hallie (Bell) Markley. He passed from this life on April, 15, 2024, at the very place he was born,... [More]
Ronald Joe Smith ~ 05-10-1944 to 04-11-2024
Linn County News Published April 17, 2024 Ronald Joe Smith, 79, LaCygne, Kan., passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kan. Visitation will be 10 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 19, 2024, at Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner,... [More]
Mary Tinsley ~ 12-15-1935 to 04-09-2024
Linn County News Published April 10, 2024 I, Mary Tinsley; being of sound mind and steadfast in my faith died today. My body decided to give out. Here I am, onto my next adventure, carried home to heaven by these wonderful angels shouting, ‘She is here, She... [More]
More Obituaries
- Frederick John “Fritz” Johanning, Jr. ~ 08-10-1948 to 03-26-2024
- Doris Maxine Basore ~ 01-02-1920 to 03-10-2024
- Janice (Good) Waltmire ~ 08-20-1937 to 03-09-2024
- Richard Lee Strader ~ 06-08-1974 to 02-24-24
- Robert William Harper, Jr. ~ 07-14-1947 to 02-24-2024
- Richard Eldon Baldwin ~ 07-21-1963 to 03-04-2024
- Michael Barry Hixon, Sr. ~ 08-31-1952 to 01-31-2024
- Charles Vernon Rowe ~ 08-14-1930 to 02-26-2024
NEWS
Commissioners appoint new county counselor
The Linn County Commissioners held several interviews in executive session following their meeting on Monday, Apr. 15, for the position of county counselor, legal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners. This week the commissioners appointed Mark Hagen, of Hagen Law Offices,... [More]
La Cygne accepts desludging cost
Biosolid removal at lagoons part of major sewer project La Cygne city leaders have accepted a cost for desludging at two of the city’s three wastewater lagoons. In a unanimous action at their regular meeting last Wednesday, the council approved $412,400 for... [More]
USD 362 sets capacity numbers
District now prepares for lottery applications Prairie View Unified School District 362 has set capacity numbers for the 2024-25 school year. At their monthly meeting April 16, the board of education unanimously adopted capacity of 80 students per grade level at... [More]
More News
- Pull Tabs for Pound Puppies
- Linn County Planning Commission proceeds with prohibiting commercial solar fields
- Commissioners send CUP for rock quarry back to P&Z again
- La Cygne to update police gear
- STARS welding competes at GCCC 2024 competition
- Mine Creek Battlefield Foundation to hold music festival
- SEKMH presents outreach program to commissioners
- Linn Valley residents respond to council appointment
SPORTS
Prairie View softball goes 4-2 in busy week
The Prairie View softball team played three double-headers this past week. On April 15 they hosted Paola and swept the Panthers 16-7 and 8-7. Then on April 16 they traveled to Osage City and split against them losing the first game 4-10 and winning the second 6-3. On April 18... [More]
Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and Oswego
The Pleasanton baseball team recently played league foes St. Paul and Oswego and swept them each in double-headers. On April 15 the team traveled to St. Paul and won both games 13-1 and 16-3 and then on April 22 they hosted Oswego and won both games 15-0 and 17-2. In the... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View track has strong performance at Anderson County
- Jayhawk track wins Pleasanton Invitational
- Pleasanton track hosts home invitational
- Jayhawk softball sweeps Crest
- Prairie View track takes on tough challenge at Paola
- Pleasanton baseball routs Yates Center
- Pleasanton baseball starts season 4-0
- Jayhawk softball sweeps Central Heights, splits against Uniontown
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com