Julia Mary Gotheridge Harris, 93, of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Jan. 3, 2017, at Olathe Medical Center. Mary was born Dec. 25, 1923, to Daniel H. and Lulu Wilmoth (Freeland) Gotheridge at Culver, Mo., northeast of Butler.
In February 1925, at the age of 1, Mary moved with her parents and two brothers to a farm north of Selma, Kan., where she lived until she married. She attended Minkler Country School through eighth grade, walking a mile each morning and evening and also meeting the bus at the school for four more years while completing her education at Kincaid High School where she graduated in 1941.
Mary met the love of her life, Warren Kenneth Harris, in early 1941. They were engaged before Warren left for the Army Air Corps on Oct. 9, 1942, to serve in World War II. They married on Aug. 2, 1943, in Iola, Kan., while Warren was home on leave. Warren was sent to the European Theatre soon after their wedding, and they kept in touch by daily letters across the ocean. Warren returned to his love on Aug. 2, 1945, their second wedding anniversary.
They then started their life together in a two-room apartment in Blue Mound before renting a farm with a four-room house in 1946. In 1948 they bought a 160-acre farm west of Prairie Valley School near Blue Mound. As finances allowed they progressively made improvements to their own farmstead until finally moving into a newly completed home there in 1964.
Mary and Warren were blessed with two children, Dennis K. Harris on May 1, 1948, and Jacqueline Sue Harris on Nov. 2, 1950. Warren and Mary joined Blue Mound Methodist Church together in 1949 and were charter members of the 49’ers Sunday School Class.
Mary and Warren worked side by side farming, haying, and raising lots of cattle, hogs, bottle calves, pigs and chickens. In turn, Warren would help Mary with housework. They enjoyed working together and were usually seen together whatever the occasion.
Mary did lots of sewing for their children and numerous school projects as she was room mother for both children for several years. Mary belonged to Prairie Valley Circle and Blue Mound United Methodist Church. She was a stay-at-home mom and wife.
She most enjoyed being with her husband and children. Mary also enjoyed solid walnut furniture and had several pieces, which she and Warren purchased at auctions. In her later years, Mary’s hobbies included collecting dolls, dishes, quilts and other interesting items. Mary loved to be busy. She was not an idle person.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Robey and Walter; two sisters in infancy; her husband of over 68 years Warren; her beloved daughter Jackie Harris Norris; and a great-grandson, Jaden Terry.
She is survived by her son Denny Harris of Blue Mound; and granddaughter Angela Kay Harris Terry and three great-grandchildren, Brandon Terry, Austin Terry and Jenna Terry, all of Louisburg, Kan.
Mary said, “Happiness will be being together with Warren and Jackie forever. My biggest worry will be leaving my son Denny.”
A funeral service for Mary was Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at Blue Mound United Methodist Church. Burial followed in Sunny Slope Cemetery.
The family suggests contributions to Blue Mound Cemetery Improvement and Beautification Fund in care of the Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box J, Mound City, KS 66056. Family and friends may leave online condolences at www.schneiderfunerals.com. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Homes & Crematory, Mound City Chapel.
OBITUARIES
Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith passed away Saturday June 7, 2025, at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan. She was born on Nov. 19, 1935, in Topeka, Kan., to Neil and Gladys (Goldsmith)... [More]
Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Ron Arbogast, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78. Born Aug. 31, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kan.,... [More]
Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025

Linn County News Published June 25, 2025 Richard "Dick" Smith, age 83, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in Olathe, Kan., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Pleasanton Cemetery. Contributions... [More]
More Obituaries
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
- Windfred Allen DeMott ~ 09-15-1940 to 06-07-2025
- Maxine Breuel ~ 11-20-1926 to 06-07-2025
- Richard Paul Henderson ~ 07-26-1950 to 06-01-2025
- Rees Lyle Shattuck 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025
- Dixie Bradley Wilkerson 10-15-1939 to 05-30-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
NEWS
NOTICE:

Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd.
Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]
Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]
More News
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
- Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges
- USD 346 board learns of overpayments
- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]
Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State
OBITUARIES POLICY
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

