Linn County News
Published March 16, 2022
Francis Marion Noel, III “Frankie”, age 85, La Cygne, Kan., passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at the home of his daughter Pamela J. Alexander. He was born in Amsterdam, Mo., on Dec. 10, 1936, the son of Francis Marion Noel II and Mildred Laurine Trageser.
He graduated from La Cygne Rural High School in the class of 1954 and from K-State vo-tech top of his class with a sheep shearing degree. He worked in the following areas: shearing sheep, coal miner, sawmill owner, custom hay baler, union carpenter at Iatan powerplant, formed Noel Construction concrete business, dairy farmer, and Noel Rental Properties. He served as Linn County Commissioner in 1971-72. Some of his hobbies were: quilter, fisherman, coon hunter, canner, self-taught keyboard musician, and Winter Texan.
Frankie Noel was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in La Cygne, where he helped build Our Lady of Lourdes in La Cygne and Immaculate Conception in Louisburg.
He married Mary Ellen Stainbrook in Louisburg, Kan., on June 16, 1956, had three sons and three daughters. Mary Ellen and daughter Tammy died in car crash, May 16, 1989.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Pauline Noel, Mary Jane Able; and first wife Mary Ellen Stainbrook Noel and daughter Tammy Jean Noel.
He is survived by his sons, Francis Marion Noel IV (Rita), Vernon Noel, Fred Noel (Peggy); daughters Pauline Troth (Mike), Pamela Alexander (John Scott); two sisters, Patricia Noel and Lois Green; thirteen grandchildren, Sara Swepston (Forest), Jonathan Alexander (Carly), Amiee Evans (Darin), Matthew Troth (Marissa), Jill Driver (Lee), Darcy Ross (Jason), Joseph Noel (Ashleigh), Jeffery Alexander, Melissa Bugni (Chad), Rachel Nelson(Kyle), Mark Noel (Cindy), Eric Noel (Cynthia), Sean Noel (Ashley); twenty-five great-grandchildren.
He married Dottie Maloney Anderson, Dec. 29, 1989, and is survived by Dottie and stepdaughter Kitty Anderson and stepson Thomas Anderson.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday, March 14, 2022, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, La Cygne, Kan. Burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation will follow from 3 to 5 p.m. at the La Cygne Chapel. If you have a quilt that Frankie made, please feel free to bring it to the visitation for display. Contributions are suggested to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church or the Altar Society. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.
OBITUARIES
John Clayton Bowman ~ 02-01-1944 to 08-17-2025

Linn County News Published August 20, 2025 John Clayton Bowman, age 81, Parker, Kan., passed away Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. He was born on Feb. 1, 1944, in Goodrich, Kan., the son of John Thomas “Tom” Bowman and Carrie Theodoshia Shafer Bowman. John attended... [More]
Arnold Joseph Lickteig ~ 05-16-1931 to 07-31-2025

Linn County News Published August 6, 2025 Arnold Joseph Lickteig, age 94, formerly of Greeley, Kan., passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Colonial Oaks Senior Living at Spring Hill in Spring Hill, Kan. Arnie was born on May 16, 1931, on a farm east of Greeley,... [More]
Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025

Linn County News Published July 30, 2025 Joe W. Mann, age 73 of La Cygne, Kan., passed away at his home on Saturday, July 26, 2025. There are no services scheduled at this time. Contributions are suggested to the Schneider Funeral Home and may be sent... [More]
More Obituaries
- Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025
- Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025
- Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
NEWS
Linn County News website gets new update

Recently you may have seen our notification on our website or our Facebook page that we were undergoing some changes on our website at www.linncountynews.net. We here at the News are happy to announce those changes are nearly complete. Changes to the website include an easier... [More]
Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral

County now required to cut budget to meet the RNR rate BY $837,000 The Linn County commissioners, with Commissioner Jason Hightower absent, began the revenue neutral hearing on Monday, Aug. 25, by welcoming those in the audience and stating the purpose and objective... [More]
Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles

The Linn Valley City Council held a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present except for John Weers. City Attorney James Brun was also present. The meeting began with a presentation by city’s financial... [More]
More News
- Sheriff speaks out on employee benefits
- Jayhawk Blast set for Saturday, Sept. 6
- Pleasanton Council readies city for General Pleasonton Days
- Parker 2026 city budget could exceed revenue neutral
- La Cygne proceeds with facilities improvement
- Economic Development Director resigns
- Pleasanton moves forward with streets plan
- USD 344 adopts new cell phone policy
SPORTS
Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’

It’s another one of those…So…stories. So, last weekend was an adventure. I’ve gotten involved with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Wild Foods Academy (WFA) that is a pilot program designed to educate many ‘left-0ut’ people’s... [More]
Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair

The annual Linn County Fair and Rodeo Fishing Derby was held on the morning of Aug. 9. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks fish biologist Don George has been heading the derby since 1987 and this year was no different. The derby was divided into three age... [More]
Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull

The Linn County Farm Bureau Association hosted the annual kids’ pedal pull on the evening of Aug. 8. Kids 4 to 12 can compete in the event for a chance to earn a spot at the State pedal pull at Hutchinson. Trophies and a place at the State fair was awarded to the... [More]
More Sports
- From the Bleachers – 717
- Annual demo derby kicks off this year’s Linn County Fair and Rodeo
- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
- Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest
- PV Cheer has strong performances at UCA Summer Camp 2025
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
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.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• 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
