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
Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites ~ 02-13-1941 to 03-26-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites, age 84, of Mound City, Kan., passed away peacefully in her sleep March 26, 2025, at the Olathe Medical Center, after an extended illness. Born on Feb. 13, 1941, the third child of Jacob and... [More]
Frank Scott DeRemus ~ 06-21-1967 to 03-04-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Frank Scott DeRemus age 57 of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at his home in Blue Mound. Scott was born June 21, 1967, in Olathe, Kan., to Frank Fox and Sharon K. (Chadwick) DeRemus. On August 11, 1994,... [More]
Douglas Eugene Joseph ~ 08-06-1964 to 03-16-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Douglas Eugene Joseph, 60, of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. Doug was born on Aug. 6, 1964, in Pittsburg, Kan., to Jean Ann Jones. He graduated from high school... [More]
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View All ObituariesNEWS
SPECIAL: STATEHOUSE REPORTING BUDGET FOR MARCH 28, 2025

FETALPERSONHOOD – The House and Senate on Thursday passed a bill that will require child support for unborn fetuses from the date of conception as well as an income tax exemption. A conference committee report was presented for HB2062 before the... [More]
SPECIAL: U.S. 69 overlay project set to begin in Bourbon and Linn counties

Monday, March 31, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin resurfacing work on U.S. 69 in Bourbon and Linn counties. An overlay will be placed on the northbound lanes of U.S. 69, starting at the south U.S. 54 junction in Fort Scott and continuing... [More]
Commissioners learn of grant for planning phase on courthouse repairs

During the March 24 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners heard from Linn County Public Works Administrator Shaun West on a grant possibility for repair work to the courthouse. SEKRPC (SEK Regional Planning Commission) is willing to assist with the HPF (Historic Preservation... [More]
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SPORTS
2025 Boys’ Basketball All County team

The 2024-2025 high school boys’ basketball has concluded and it is time once again for the annual All County team. As usual choosing the team was tough as there were many good players this season and plenty more that showed steady progress through the season. As... [More]
2025 Girls’ Basketball All County team

High school girls’ basketball has concluded for the 2024-25 season and it’s time for the annual All County team. Like the boys’ team, and like most years, choosing players was tough. Plenty of girls from all three schools, Prairie View, Jayhawk Linn and Pleasanton,... [More]
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

