Linn County News
Published Nov. 29, 2017
Fred “Jinkie” Lee, age 88, of La Cygne, Kan., passed away on Nov. 20, 2017. Fred was born Oct. 18, 1929, in Cedar County, Mo., the only child of the late Ted Francis Lee and Ethel (Correll) Lee.
He spent his childhood on the family farm near Filley, Mo., attending Potter School. He attended high school in El Dorado Springs, Mo., where he met his sweetheart and love of his life, Billee Rae West, both graduating with the Class of 1947. Fred and Billee married Oct. 17, 1948, and spent 65 years together until her death in 2014.
Shortly after their marriage, Fred and Billee moved to Petaluma, Calif., where Fred worked on a dairy farm. They lived there for seven years before returning to El Dorado Springs and Cedar County, Mo., where their families resided.
Fred had a long career in the grocery store business, with Billee right by his side. He first worked as a butcher at Thatch Grocery Store in El Dorado Springs, then began ownership of grocery stores, including Lee & Thatch in Appleton City, Mo., was co-owner of Food Fair in Mound City, Kan., and later purchased Fred’s Food Fair in La Cygne.
Fred was active in church and community affairs all of his adult life. He professed his faith in Jesus Christ as a young child and was a devout Christian. He was a member of the Christian Church in La Cygne, where he previously served as an elder. While in El Dorado Springs, he served as the fire chief and was mayor of La Cygne in the early ‘80s.
Fred was a multi-talented individual. He played the guitar and sang beautifully. He was quite the story teller, a horseman, and he especially liked his mules. He was an avid hunter and dog lover. One of his new-found hobbies after retirement was golfing in the Senior League at Linn Valley Lakes.
Fred was a consummate social person, never meeting a stranger. He loved to travel with his sweetheart in the RV to many places, especially the western U.S. One of their favorite places was Ouray, Colo., and they enjoyed attending rodeos in Cody, Wyo.
Fred had a joyous and full life and always made others feel happier when he was around. He was deeply devoted to family, loving each one in his own special “Fred” way. He leaves behind three daughters: Karen Lee Ringgenberg (Bob), Nixa, Mo., Denise Lee Debrick (Kevin), Paola, Kan., and Gayle Lee, La Cygne; grandchildren and great-grandchildren include: Gabriel, Melody, Taren and Joey Page, Clever, Mo., Daniel and Emily Ringgenberg, Aberdeen, S.D., Matt, Molly, Vera and Beau Sayer, Plymouth, Minn., Chris and Ashley Graves, Henderson, Nev., Blake and Erika Kelly, Washington, D.C., Jobie and Wynnette Debrick, Ottawa, Kan., Jake, Megan and Jackson Storey, Louisburg, Kan., and Nathan and Jill Boone, Columbia, Mo. Also surviving are his beloved brother-in-law Kenneth West, Rolla, Mo.; three nephews: Mike West (Heather), Fort Collins, Colo., Ken West (Theresa), Jackson, Mo., and Cam West (Kim Jo), Marion, Ky.; as well as several great nieces and nephews.
Fred was an exceptional person, and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. God most assuredly blessed Fred’s life.
Funeral services for Fred Lee were held on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, at La Cygne Christian Church in La Cygne. Burial followed in Oak Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to La Cygne Christian Church or Meals on Wheels. Online condolences may be left at: www.blandhackleman.com.
OBITUARIES
Letha Spillman ~ 06-19-1929 to 10-02-2025

Linn County News Published October 8, 2025 Letha Spillman, age 96, of Kincaid, Kan., passed away at her home on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. Letha Nadine Miller was born on June 19, 1929, in Blue Mound, Kan. Letha was born on the farm that was homesteaded by her grandfather.... [More]
Mary Alice Fagg ~ 07-30-1933 to 09-25-2025

Linn County News Published October 8, 2025 Mary Alice Fagg, age 92, formerly of Garnett, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village in Fort Scott, Kan. Mary Alice Cash was born on July 30, 1933, the daughter of Cecil and May (Augur)... [More]
John T. Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025

Linn County News Published October 8, 2025 John T. Miles, age 65, a resident of Fort Scott, Kan., passed away Thursday, May 1, 2025. A celebration of John’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, “down in the boonies” at the whirlpool on... [More]
More Obituaries
- Paul David Hamilton ~ 11-07-1950 to 09-23-2025
- Lora Lynn West ~ 10-22-1959 to 09-24-2025
- Lois Ann Simons ~ 11-12-1937 to 09-27-2025
- Betty Joan Haupt ~ 10-03-1931 to 09-29-2025
- Carolyn Lee Wilson Dunlop ~ 12-15-1944 to 09-27-2025
- Angie Yeates Randall ~ 06-22-1967 to 09-22-2025
- William Howard Hansuld ~ 04-17-1960 to 09-19-2025
- Bernita Mae Ala ~ 02-28-1921 to 09-17-2025
NEWS
Suit filed in Sunshine Meadows building permit case

A court case has been filed in the 6th Judicial District in Linn County by Parker resident Jan Longenecker and 26 other plaintiffs against the Board of Zoning Appeals of Linn County to revoke building permits issued by the acting Zoning Administrator Ben Souza. Souza... [More]
Pleasanton demos asphalt zipper for street repair

The Pleasanton City Council and street crew had the opportunity to watch a live demonstration of an asphalt zipper last Wednesday on 8th Street between Cedar and Sycamore – a street with heavily damaged asphalt. Dave Fokken, Asphalt Zipper Government Sales rep, said many... [More]
La Cygne awards lift station bid

Generator emphasis is the final step in the $6.261 million wastewater project La Cygne leaders awarded a bid to replace every diesel-powered generator at the city’s three sewer lift stations to a Kansas City, Mo., firm. At last Wednesday’s regular meeting,... [More]
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- Appraiser’s office announces completion of review
- SPECIAL: KBI conducts statewide marijuana enforcement operation
- Pleasanton council vetoed on fire volunteer appointments
- Kansas Policy Institute talks property taxes with legislature
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- County logo sees little change
- Linn County P&Z Appeals Board denies subdivision appeal
- Commissioners discuss suggestion to leave EDA position vacant
SPORTS
Lady Jays host league triangular and competes at Uniontown

The Pleasanton volleyball team had a busy week. First the team hosted a Three Rivers League triangular on Sept. 30 against Jayhawk Linn and Altoona Midway. Then on Oct. 4 the team traveled to Uniontown for the Uniontown Volleyball Invitational. To see the full article, check... [More]
Jayhawk volleyball has a busy successful week

The Jayhawk volleyball team was busy this past week as they had games on Sept. 30, Oct. 2, and Oct. 4. They traveled to Pleasanton on Sept. 30 to play a TRL triangular against Pleasanton and Altoona Midway. Then on Oct. 2 they hosted TRL foes Chetopa and Oswego. Then on Oct.... [More]
Jayhawk football wins thriller over Pleasanton on Homecoming

The Jayhawk Linn football team had a big game this past Friday on Oct. 3. Not only was it their Homecoming game but it was also a TRL/District game against their in-county rival the Pleasanton Blu-Jays. Both teams played hard and one could tell that both teams really wanted... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View football dominates Burlington on Homecoming
- Pleasanton volleyball travels to Arma and Prairie View
- Jayhawk volleyball goes 4-0 on the week
- Pleasanton volleyball competes at Yates Center and Humboldt
- Prairie View football picks up a big win against Wellsville
- Jayhawk volleyball has a solid week going 3-0
- Seasoned Olpe powers over young 'Hawks
- Wade and Schneider start impressive girls’ golf season for the Buffalos and Hawks
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
