Linn County News
Published February 7, 2024
Judith “Judy” Ellen Richardson, 82, of Valley Falls, formerly of Mound City, passed away Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at the St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City. She was born on Aug. 10, 1941, in Kansas City, Mo., to Charles and Mary Lewis.
After graduating from Washington High School in Kansas City, Judy worked as a secretary and was an assembly line worker at General Motors. She later received her associate degree in retail management from Johnson County Community College and became a manager at K-Mart.
Judy married Leslie E. Richardson on October 1, 1981. The couple resided in Mound City for many years, where they were active in their church and the Linn County Republican Party. Leslie preceded her death in 2015.
Judy enjoyed cooking, gardening, and her animals. Most of all, Judy was a devout Christian who loved reading her Bible and sharing her faith.
Survivors include her daughter, Julie Craft of Valley Falls; and her son, John “Chris” Sands of Topeka; sister, Sandra Ferrell of Warsaw, Mo.; five grandchildren, Chuck (Calie) Craft of Meriden, Maggie Giebler of Valley Falls, Kate Craft of Valley Falls, John Garrett of Jackson, Ohio, and Thomas Garrett (Stacy) of Ft. Worth, Texas; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Judy is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Mary Elizabeth Sands; son-in-law, Brent Craft; sister, Marilyn Rapp; and brother, Charles “Chuck” Lewis II.
Private services will be held for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jefferson County Hospice or the Valley Falls Christian Church, c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave the family a condolence, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.
OBITUARIES
William Lee “Bill” Anderson ~ 05-08-1942 to 07-21-2026
Linn County News Published July 29, 2026 William Lee "Bill" Anderson, age 84, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026. He was born on May 8, 1942, in La Cygne, Kan., the son of Clarence Edward and Lula Mae Morris Anderson. He worked... [More]
Karen Kay Clayton ~ 08-21-1956 to 06-26-2026
Karen Kay Clayton, 69, passed away June 26, 2026, at Azria in Olathe, Kan. Preceded in death by husband Bob Clayton in August of 2022. She was the daughter of Kenneth and Kathryn (Kite) McGee of Centerville, Kan., they also preceded her in death. She is survived by... [More]
Clinton Eugene Williams ~ 05-04-1979 to 07-06-2026
Linn County News Published July 15, 2026 Clinton Eugene Williams, age 47, Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Monday, July 6, 2026. He was born on May 4, 1979, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Donald and Judy McCollam Williams. He graduated from Jayhawk Linn High School... [More]
More Obituaries
- Larry Michael York ~ 05-17-1949 to 07-12-2026
- Matthew Graham Tyson ~ 05-10-1975 to 07-03-2026
- Ann Elizabeth Quaintance ~ 01-31-1954 to 07-03-2026
- William “Bill” Lloyd Wilson ~ 06-27-1950 to 06-25-2026
- Janice Geyer ~ 03-14-1955 to 06-16-2026
- Craig Alan Wood ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-18-2026
- Adam Lee Johnston April 9, 1969 — June 9, 2026
- Steven Edwin Lindsey August 10, 1943 — June 9, 2026
NEWS
Proposed development of Linn Valley TAI Overlay District Ordinance discussed
The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 13, 2026, with Mayor Lister Potter presiding with all council members present except for Shannon Smith. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by an opening prayer... [More]
UPDATE: U.S. 69 overlay project is delayed in Bourbon, Linn counties
A Kansas Department of Transportation project to overlay about 25 miles of U.S. 69 in Linn and Bourbon counties has been delayed due to contractor scheduling issues. The overlay work will start the last week of July. The project begins just north of Pleasanton on the southbound... [More]
La Cygne looks to keep 2027 mill rate below Revenue Neutral threshold
La Cygne city officials said they do not plan to exceed the revenue neutral rate in next year’s budget, a move that could mark the third consecutive year of declining property tax mill rates for residents. At its Wednesday meeting, the City Council discussed the 2027... [More]
More News
- Commissioners table vicious dog resolution
- Injunction sought to disclose sealed records in Leonard case
- Commissioners hear from Clearway representative on project
- USD 344 board tours high school, examines summer improvements
- SPECIAL: Series of pavement repairs scheduled week of July 13 in Miami County
- La Cygne City Council discuss sales tax reallocation for roads and infrastructure
- Blue Mound approves sewer rate increase
- Pleasanton addresses need for employees
SPORTS
Commanders win tournament at Arma
The Mound City American Legion Post 248’s baseball team, the 15U Linn County Commanders, won the Arma Classic at Arma on July 18.
Pleasanton trapshooting competes at Nationals
The Pleasanton trapshooting team traveled to Mason, Mich. to compete in Nationals on July 10-12. The team brought a total of eight shooters to the event. As a team the Jays placed 120th with a total score of 454. Members on the team were Ryker Carpenter, Haelie Wallace, Kayd... [More]
Annual Pleasanton Catfish Tournament held at Pleasanton East Lake
The annual Pleasanton Catfish Tournament was held at the Pleasanton East Lake on the night of July 11. The event featured a total of 17 boats and 13 anglers. Ty Umphenour placed first in the tournament with a total weight of 23 lbs 5.7 oz. His biggest fish was a 21.01 lb blue... [More]
More Sports
- Blue Mound Burnout contest held
- Midwest Senior Bull Riding Association comes to Pleasanton
- Pleasanton trapshooting competes in State tournament
- It’s not experience, it’s the person
- Red, White & Blue and Bulls bullfighting July 4
- Prairie View trapshooting brings home individual championships and team trophies
- Three Rivers All League baseball announced
- Three Rivers League announces All League softball team
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
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