Linn County News
Published July 19, 2023
Glen Robert "Bob" Brownback, age 92, of Garnett, Kan., formerly of Parker, Kan., passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the Rock Creek Care Home in Ottawa, Kan.
Bob was born on Feb. 3, 1931, on a farm near Harris, Kan. He was the third of four children born to Orville Glen and Leora M. (Ellington) Brownback. Bob's family moved to a farm near Centerville in 1932. Bob graduated from Parker High School in 1948. The official records may not have a picture of Bob as "the" Kansas farmer, but that may be appropriate if it did. He may have struggled to remember a birthday, but he could always recount the crop they raised in whatever year was being discussed. According to family records, Bob first drove a tractor at the age of nine. Visitors to the Parker Museum can search for a newspaper article telling of the Brownback boys (Bob and Billy) breaking a tractor in half.
On Oct. 1, 1950, Bob was united in marriage to Nancy Cowden at the First Presbyterian Church in Osawatomie, Kan. Their union was blessed with four children, Mary, Alan, Sam, and Jim. Bob and Nancy made their home on their farm east of Parker in 1953. Bob was a lifelong farmer and he only left the farm under duress when he was no longer able to get on to the tractor or the combine. They moved to Garnett in 2019 and Bob found joy in watching the birds and squirrels in the yard in town. In his free time, Bob enjoyed watching any John Wayne movie or every single episode of Gunsmoke. On the farm he loved his John Deere tractors, even though he thought the green paint was too expensive.
Bob was generous with his time away from the farm, serving on local boards, including the Parker and Prairie View School Boards, and the American State Bank board, Osawatomie. He loved their opportunities to travel. He especially enjoyed Las Vegas, cruises, and their trips traveling to Russia, Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Iceland, and Egypt. Bob instilled the value of an education in his family and was proud of the generations of his family that pursued higher education. His work ethic will be remembered by all who knew him, it was said that he would have worked in the nursing home, if they would have allowed it. He took pride in his farming operation, tending to his land and equipment constantly. Throughout his life, he faced many challenges with his health, in spite of the challenges he was always a fighter. In the end Bob's dementia was a challenge for the last few years of his life, but his love of his family and wanting to talk farming still remained.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill Brownback, and wife, Charlene; grandson, Scott Hazard; son-in-law, Ray Bakker; great-granddaughter, Amelie Brownback; and two brothers-in-law, Clayton Hodgson, and Bill Cowden.
Bob is survived by his wife of 72 years, Nancy Brownback, of the home; his children and their families, Mary Jewett and husband, Mike of Mesa, Ariz., Alan and wife, Nancy of Lyndon, Kan., Sam and wife, Mary of Topeka, Kan., and Jim and wife, Vickie of Parker, Kan.; 19 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren (with more on the way).
Memorial services are planned for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at the Parker United Methodist Church, 403 W. Kimball, Parker, Kan. Bob's family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kan. In lieu of flowers, Bob's family encourages taking a friend to lunch in honor of Bob. Condolences to the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.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
