Linn County News
Published Sept. 13, 2023
Helen Y. Bruce, 93, of Pflugerville, Texas, went to be with Her Lord on Sept. 7, 2023. Services for Helen will be held on Friday Sept. 15, at Faith Chapel Assembly of God Church, 15000 Newton, Overland Park, Kan. Visitation from 10-11 a.m.; service at 11 a.m. Burial will be held later that day at 2 p.m. at the Woodland Cemetery, Mound City, Kan.
Helen loved to help others and spread joy and sunshine wherever she went. She was very active in her church, offering help and support to anyone in need. She loved to cook Sunday dinner for church friends and guests and loved sharing roses from her garden with friends. Though she lacked formal training (learning to play the piano by ear), she was passionate about playing the piano and singing, especially the hymns. Even as her memory faded in later years, she would continue to play the piano and sing and quote many scriptures.
Helen (known as BeBe to her family) was the youngest of six children born to Susie and Charlie Murray, born Aug. 16, 1930, in Versailles, Mo. Helen’s family would eventually settle in the area of Trading Post, Kan., where her family was active in farming. Following her graduation from Mound City High School in 1948, Helen became a hairdresser and worked and lived in the Country Club Plaza area of Kansas City. Helen married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Bruce, in 1955, in Mound City, Kan. Helen’s proudest accomplishment was raising their three children - Jack, Charles (Chuck), and Julia (Julie).
After their wedding, Helen and Bob moved to Elk City, Okla., where Bob was stationed as a lieutenant in the Air Force. After completing their assignment there in 1957, they returned with their two sons to make their longtime home in the Kansas City area. Helen would later move her family to several states, including Louisiana, Texas, and California. Helen and Bob would eventually return to Overland Park, where they had raised their young family and built lifelong friendships. With Bob’s passing in 2018, Helen moved to Austin, Texas to be with her daughter and son-in-law.
Helen was a loving mother and wife and is survived by her three children and their spouses, Jack and Stephanie Bruce of Jacksonville, Fla., Chuck and Kayla Bruce of Leawood, Kan., and Julie and Alvie Nichols of Pflugerville, Texas. Helen was a caring grandmother to her five grandchildren: Rebecca Comeaux (San Antonio, Texas), Robert Bruce (Baldwin City, Kan.), Anne Heart (Nederland, Colo.), Kimmie Bruce (Jacksonville, Fla.), and Danny Bruce (Jacksonville, Fla.); and her six great-grandchildren: Olivia Bruce, Dylan Bruce, Jove Heart, Selen Heart, Estelle Comeaux, and Marcel Comeaux. Helen was preceded in death by her siblings, June O’Rourke, Judy Dunavan, LaVerne Murray, Marvin Murray, and L.D. Murray.
Helen Bruce, you were a good and faithful servant to God. Enter into the joy of your Lord!
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
