Linn County News
Published Oct. 25, 2017
James “Jim” Martin Minden, age 69 of rural Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, at his home. Jim was born Aug. 10, 1948, at Paola, Kan. He was the second of four children born to Melvin Martin and Bessie June (Vanatta) Minden. He grew up in Osawatomie and graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1967.
After graduating from high school, Jim served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 8, 1969.
Jim and Janie Griffith were united in marriage on July 3, 1970, at Paola. They made their home in Osawatomie and became the parents of three sons.
He worked as a welder for Tech Air in Osawatomie, and then went to work for the railroad as a brakeman/conductor. He worked at Napa, Tim Worthy Transmission and Metcalf Ridge Golf Course in Louisburg to keep out of trouble after retiring.
Jim loved to hunt and fish. He looked forward to their annual family pheasant hunting trip to western Kansas every year. Jim could often be found tinkering in his garage, teaching the grandkids many of his mechanical talents. His kids enjoyed rowing up and playing on the river with their dad. Jim especially enjoyed the time he spent with his grandchildren. Getting to be “Boogie’s” official babysitter was an honor for him. Jim very seldom missed any of his grandchildren’s school events or activities. We can’t forget Jim’s beloved canine Buddy. Jim allowed Buddy into the house with hesitancy but soon became very attached to his canine friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife Janie of the home; three sons, Jimmy (Kathy Carver) of rural Osawatomie, Jered (Stacia) of Parker, Kan., and Jason (Michelle) of Parker; 11 grandchildren, Clint, Kody, Tanner, Mackayla, Hunter, Hannah, Logan, Andrew, Mackenzie, Ethan and Mackenna; one sister, Diana (Alvin) of Simon in Fall City, Neb.; two brothers, Dennis (Brenda) of Osawatomie and Randy of Paola; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, 605 O’Neal Avenue, Osawatomie, KS 66064. Burial was in the Osawatomie Cemetery with military honors. Pallbearers were his 11 grandchildren.
Memorials are to the Miami County Cancer Foundation and can be sent in care of the funeral home.
OBITUARIES
Norma Jeanne (Riley) Long ~ 08-21-1938 to 10-13-2025

Linn County News Published October 22, 2025 Norma Jeanne (Riley) Long, age 87, of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at Vintage Park in Osawatomie, Kan., surrounded by family. Norma was born on Aug. 21, 1938, in Liberal, Kan., to Frederick and... [More]
Geneva Darlene Jennings ~ 11-15-1939 to 10-12-2025

Linn County News Published October 15, 2025 Geneva Darlene Jennings, age 85, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. She was born on Nov. 15, 1939, at Trading Post, Kan., the daughter of Charles and Daisy Rittinghouse Purdy. She graduated from Pleasanton High... [More]
Mary Margaret Wilson ~ 01-08-1930 to 10-13-2025

Linn County News Published October 15, 2025 Mary Margaret Wilson of Mound City, Kan., age 95, was called home to be with the Lord Oct. 13, 2025. She resided at the Anew Healthcare facility in Pleasanton, Kan. She was born in La Cygne, Kan., to Edwin Josheph Riley and Eva... [More]
More Obituaries
- Letha Spillman ~ 06-19-1929 to 10-02-2025
- Mary Alice Fagg ~ 07-30-1933 to 09-25-2025
- John T. Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025
- Paul David Hamilton ~ 11-07-1950 to 09-23-2025
- Lora Lynn West ~ 10-22-1959 to 09-24-2025
- Lois Ann Simons ~ 11-12-1937 to 09-27-2025
- Betty Joan Haupt ~ 10-03-1931 to 09-29-2025
- Carolyn Lee Wilson Dunlop ~ 12-15-1944 to 09-27-2025
NEWS
Souza resigns county clerk post

Linn County’s county clerk is resigning. At the weekly Linn County Commission meeting Tuesday morning, delayed a day because of Monday’s governmental Columbus Day holiday, Danielle Souza spoke during the public comment agenda section of her intention to resign the... [More]
Farmers State Bank under new ownership

Time moves on and things change – and the banking world is not exempt from those changes. When Farmers State Bank owner Dale Sprague passed away in August of 2024, his wife Janice and family made those changes when they sold the three banks this fall to Citizen Bank owner’s... [More]
Linn Valley council updated on water, lagoon projects

Linn Valley city council held its first meeting of the month on Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Lewis Donelson began the meeting by asking city employees present at the meeting to stand up front and introduce themselves and state their job title. The mayor continued by... [More]
More News
- Suit filed in Sunshine Meadows building permit case
- Pleasanton demos asphalt zipper for street repair
- La Cygne awards lift station bid
- Appraiser’s office announces completion of review
- SPECIAL: KBI conducts statewide marijuana enforcement operation
- Pleasanton council vetoed on fire volunteer appointments
- Kansas Policy Institute talks property taxes with legislature
- Pleasanton city candidate forum Oct. 6
SPORTS
Schneider makes State for Hawks in girls’ golf

Celeste Schneider made the 3-1A State golf tournament again this year for the Lady Hawks and will be looking to earn another State medal. To see the full article, check out this week's edition of the Linn County News or check out the online version here.
Wade and Britz advance to State for the Buffalos

The Prairie View girls’ golf team is doing well. The girls won the Pioneer League championship at Deer Trace on Oct. 7 and then followed that up by placing fourth at 3-1A Sub-State tournament at Crestwood in Pittsburg on Oct. 13. The Lady Buffs won the league tournament... [More]
Blu-Jays convert takeaways into Homecoming win

Pleasanton converted two second-quarter fumble recoveries and a third-quarter interception into passing touchdowns to break a three-game losing skid and claim a 41-6 Homecoming win over Southeast-Cherokee Friday at Blu-Jay Nation Stadium. The victory moves the ‘Jays’... [More]
More Sports
- Lady Jays host league triangular and competes at Uniontown
- Jayhawk volleyball has a busy successful week
- Jayhawk football wins thriller over Pleasanton on Homecoming
- Prairie View football dominates Burlington on Homecoming
- Pleasanton volleyball travels to Arma and Prairie View
- Jayhawk volleyball goes 4-0 on the week
- Pleasanton volleyball competes at Yates Center and Humboldt
- Prairie View football picks up a big win against Wellsville
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
