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
Victor Gene Clark ~ 08-23-1938 to 10-02-2023

Linn County News Published Oct. 11, 2023 Our dear father, Victor Gene Clark, passed away at his home in Mound City, Kan., on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Vic was 85 years old. Vic was born in Medicine Lodge, Kan., on Aug. 23, 1938, to parents Mary Jane (Sharp)... [More]
Laverne C. Nelson ~ 06-13-1935 to 05-28-2023

Linn County News Published Oct. 11, 2023 On the afternoon of May 28, 2023, LaVerne C. Nelson (nee Smith), with her steadfast daughter Renee’ by her side, succumbed to the ravages of dementia just a few weeks shy of her 88th birthday. This determined woman... [More]
Vanetta Carol (Hardy) Sabine ~ 06-27-1944 to 09-29-2023

Linn County News Published Oct. 4, 2023 Vanetta Carol (Hardy) Sabine passed away peacefully at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo., at 5:42 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. She was born June 27, 1944, in Garnett, Kan., to William Orland and Ella Bernice “Margaret”... [More]
More Obituaries
- Daniel Glen Needham ~ 10-30-1945 to 09-06-2023
- Phyllis Irene Best ~ 04-24-1948 to 09-14-2023
- Jean Frances Patterson ~ 06-27-1937 to 09-11-2023
- Roland Jerome “Jerry” Rowe ~ 01-18-1928 to 09-12-2023
- Cammie Lee Hines ~ 06-19-1962 to 09-03-2023
- Delbert Alan Cannon ~ 01-28-1958 to 09-09-2023
- Wayne Barber Ellis ~ 06-20-1944 to 09-07-2023
- Mary Dolores Warta ~ 02-03-1929 to 09-08-2023
NEWS
County P&Z board to review solar farm regulations

2-0 vote occurs after Commission chairman departs Linn County commissioners have agreed to return comprehensive-plan solar farm regulations to its Planning and Zoning (P&Z) board for further consideration that will include a yet-to-be-determined open-hearing public... [More]
Sales tax hearing small, plans discussed

The Pleasanton Council’s normal every-other-week meeting began with a sales tax initiative hearing so patrons could ask questions of the council concerning the one-cent sales tax proposal coming on November’s ballot. No questions were asked from the small crowd;... [More]
General Pleasanton set for this weekend

Celebration theme is “Back to Our Roots” The annual General Pleasonton Days celebration is set for this coming Saturday and Sunday and in many ways is stepping back. The theme for this year’s event is “Back to Our Roots” and with that... [More]
More News
- Potential solar contractors answer questions
- Audience members request one year moratorium on solar farms
- USD 362 sells construction class house
- La Cygne passes past-debated action items
- Commercial solar panels top Planning and Zoning Commission meeting
- Commissioners put attorney on retainer for solar matters
- Parker to use ARPA funds for cam installment
- Boil Water Advisory Issued for City of Pleasanton, Linn County
SPORTS
Buff early defense ignites 21-0 shutout

Prairie View’s Buffalos have put Class 3-A, District 2 football on notice. They are in it to win it. In the shadow of their own goal posts thrice in the first half, the Buff defense each time held Girard from scoring and ignited a 21-0 road win over the district-favorite... [More]
Pleasanton football dominates Southeast Cherokee

The Pleasanton football team traveled to Cherokee on Sept. 29 to play Three Rivers League foe Southeast Cherokee. Pleasanton had no problems with the Lancers as they won the game 42-6. The Jays scored a total of six touchdowns on Cherokee. The first touchdown was a 27 yard... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton cross country competes at Prairie View and Humboldt
- Jayhawk cross country has some top placers at Prairie View
- Jayhawk Linn routs Uniontown in home opener
- Pleasanton volleyball has a busy week
- Prairie View cross country performs well at Wellsville
- Pleasanton football routs Northeast Arma
- Big Buffalo rally falls just short
- Jayhawk football dominates first two games
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
