Frances Todd Baker, age 86, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in hospice at Englewood, Colo.
Born in Atchison, Kan., on March 18, 1930, Fran lived in Kansas City, Mo., until 1959 when she married Willis Baker and moved to Pleasanton, Kan.
She will be remembered as a lifelong equestrian and an active member of the Mission Valley Foxhunt for over 65 years. Additionally, Fran is fondly remembered as a woman of keen intelligence, a dry wit and a tough pioneer spirit.
Fran asked that the following quote be read at her memorial as a reminder of how life is meant to be lived.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow! What a Ride!’” —Hunter S. Thompson
Fran is survived by her husband Willis Baker; and two sons Stew and Philip Baker. A private family-only service will be held in Kansas City.
OBITUARIES
Howard Chaney Herrmann ~ 05-28-1944 to 04-01-2026
Linn County News Published April 8, 2026 Howard Chaney Herrmann passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. He was born May 28, 1944, to Chester Keith Herrmann and Mila Frances (Chaney) Herrmann. He started first grade in 1950 in the Washington one room... [More]
Tevina Marie Eicher ~ 04-09-1979 to 03-23-2026
Linn County News Published April 8, 2026 Tevina Marie Eicher, age 46, Mound City, Kan., passed away Monday, March 23, 2026. A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. April 4, 2026, to celebrate Tevina and her recently deceased mother, Vickie. There was a visitation... [More]
Kellie Jo Harvey ~ 10-24-1968 to 03-26-2026
Linn County News Published April 1, 2026 Kellie Jo Harvey, age 57, of Mapleton, Kan., passed away as a result of a motor vehicle accident on March 26, 2026. She was born on Oct. 24, 1968, the daughter of Bill and Linda Brown Allen. Kellie graduated... [More]
More Obituaries
- Naomi “Skip” Childress ~ 08-23-1926 to 03-21-2026
- Julia Pearl (Ginger) Gardner ~ 06-28-1940 to 03-19-2026
- Danny Grover Breckenridge ~ 04-09-1947 to 03-16-2026
- Rachel Carlene Kastl ~ 02-14-1934 to 03-19-2026
- Edward L. Eichenberger ~ 11-20-1967 to 03-15-2026
- Rick “Rockin Rick” Nash ~ 11-13-1958 to 02-23-2026
- Bernard Thomas “Tom” Brownback ~ 10-06-1938 to 02-27-2026
- Bernard E. “Gene” Post ~ 05-02-1934 to 12-15-2025
NEWS
Local film crew premieres new film in Albuquerque, plans Kansas City Release
Heartland Film Productions, based out of Linn County, premiered its latest film in Albuquerque, N.M. on March 21. The film features individuals and events in both Kansas and New Mexico. Titled “A Beautiful Place,” the film looks at how individuals react to... [More]
Commissioners hear from County Attorney, Sheriff on legal issues
During the meeting on Monday, March 30, Commissioner Alison Hamilton told Linn County Attorney Justin Meeks and Linn County Sheriff James Akes that they had received a letter and Meeks noted the letter itself could not be discussed in public due to active, ongoing cases and insurance.... [More]
Board adopts changes to the JCAC interrogations policy
The USD 362 Board met Tuesday, March 24 where financial reports and treasurer reports were approved unanimously. A resolution of commendation was approved by the board for several students for state wrestling qualifiers and state placements. A presentation on IXL was... [More]
More News
- SPECIAL: KDHE Issues Air Quality Health Advisory due to Prescribed Burns
- Commissioners sign settlement agreement with Tanglewood Lakes
- K9 Tank, new addition to the Pleasanton Police Department
- La Cygne Council awards sewer lift bid
- Breaking News: Wellness check leads to discovery of deceased resident
- Commissioners hear presentation on the next phase for opportunity zones
- Pleasanton council contracts financial advisor
- SPECIAL NOTICE
SPORTS
Pleasanton baseball starts season against Oswego and Crest
The Pleasanton baseball team started their season with double-headers against Oswego and Crest. The Jays hosted Oswego on March 23 and traveled to Crest on March 26. The split against Oswego winning the first game 14-4 but losing the second 11-12. They lost both games against... [More]
Jayhawk softball starts season with games against Northeast and Osawatomie
The Jayhawk softball team started their season with games against Northeast Arma and Osawatomie. Their home opener was against Northeast on March 23 and they traveled to Osawatomie on March27, both contests were double-headers. They lost to Northeast 3-21 and 5-20 and then... [More]
Prairie View baseball hosts Miami and Wellsville to begin the season
The Prairie View baseball team began their 2026 season with home games against Miami and Wellsville. Their first contest was a single game against Missouri foe, Miami, on March 24. The Buffalos then hosted Wellsville in a Pioneer League double header on March 26. Prairie View... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk boys’ basketball have multiple players make TRL All League
- Lady Hawks and Lady Jays make the TRL All League basketball team
- Jayhawk girls’ basketball finishes the season as Sub-State runner-up
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball finishes season as Sub-State runner up
- Pleasanton boys advance in Sub-State tournament, girls end season
- Jayhawk wrestling has four wrestlers place in the top four at State
- Prairie View boys’ wrestling sends two to State
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling sends five to State and sets milestones
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