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Linn County News

Published May 10, 2023

 

James Francis Ptacek, 94, of Parker, Kan., died on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Kansas City Hospice House, in Kansas City, Mo.

Jim was born on Oct. 1, 1928, in Emporia, Kan., to Antone and Martha (Rezac) Ptacek.  He attended schools near Miller, Kan., until his family moved to Wichita, where he graduated from Wichita East High School. While working, Jim began studying at Wichita State University. On June 14, 1950, he married the love of his life, Mima Jeanne Hunt at Eastside Methodist Church in Wichita, Kan. They were married for 69 years before she passed away. Jim proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS. After his enlistment, Jim enrolled in Kansas State University where he pursued a degree in electrical engineering, graduating in 1957 with his Bachelor’s of Science.

His career as an electrical engineer was with three companies in the Kansas City area: Vendo, Alfa Laval, and Labconco. Jim was a true do-it-yourselfer who spent hours using his resourcefulness to improve his home and repair anything from Audi 5000s to refrigerators to lawn mowers. He could often be found helping his boys or his neighbors and friends repair their vehicles. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren called him “Opa.” He was proud of his Czech heritage. For many years, he was active in Linn County Republicans and the Richland Grange.  He was a member of the Mound City United Methodist Church where he served in various positions and used his knowledge to upgrade the church electrical wiring and to install the sound system.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Mima Jeanne Ptacek; one son, Larry Ptacek; one daughter-in-law, Karen Ptacek; one grandson, Richard Francis Ptacek; two brothers, Louis and Tom; and one sister, Marjorie. 

He is survived by two sons, Steve Ptacek and Richard Ptacek and his wife Joannie; five grandchildren, Shannon Kay Kreienheder, Shelby Rae Ptacek, Mary Lee Deaver, Robert James Ptacek, and Gina Nicole Ptacek; and three great-granddaughters, Raegan Kaylyn and Scarlett Ann Kreienheder, and Gemma Moon Stone.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Mound City United Methodist Church with a luncheon to follow. Private family interment will take place in Graceland Cemetery, Burlington, Kan. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Kansas City Hospice House or Mound City United Methodist Church in care of Schneider Funeral Home, 319 Chestnut, Mound City, Kansas 66056.

OBITUARIES

Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025

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Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Kelly Kehl, age 87, of Mound City, Kan., passed away Saturday, June 28, 2025, at his rural Mound City home.  Kelly was born March 25, 1938, south of Parker, Kan., to Keith (Tom) Emerson Kehl and Helen Edith (Giffin) Kehl. Kelly... [More]

Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025

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Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Kandi Kay Cruse passed away on June 27, 2025, at the age of 67 after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on March 29, 1958, in Colorado Springs, Colo., Kandi’s zest for life and carefree spirit were evident from an early age. She... [More]

Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025

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Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Jessica Cae Pritchett age 43 of Parker, Kan., died Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Eddy Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie, Kan. ... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case

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    WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) issued the following statement regarding passage of the budget reconciliation bill by the U.S. House of Representatives, also called the “One Big Beautiful Bill”:   “Last November,... [More]

NOTICE:

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The Linn County News and Linn County Printing offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, in honor of the holiday.

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SPORTS

Gratton at Nationals

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Pleasanton’s Ashton Gratton qualifies for the Adidas Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina after winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes in the KSHSAA 2A State tournament in Wichita on May 31. The Adidas Nationals took place from June 20-22 and Gratton did well in both the... [More]

Summer Ball Tournaments

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The Parker 8-11 baseball team 1 places first in their league tournament at La Cygne on June 28. See more photos on page B1 of this week's edition.

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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

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