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
Rick “Rockin Rick” Nash ~ 11-13-1958 to 02-23-2026
Linn County News Published March 11, 2026 Rick "Rockin' Rick" Nash, 67, of Lawrence, Kan., passed away on Feb. 23, 2026, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, Kan. Rick was born to parents Joe Victor Nash and Janice Maline Heitman on Nov. 13, 1958, in... [More]
Bernard Thomas “Tom” Brownback ~ 10-06-1938 to 02-27-2026
Linn County News Published March 4, 2026 Bernard Thomas "Tom" Brownback was born on a farm in Centerville, Kan., the fifth child born to William Earl and Kezia Ellen (Reynolds) Brownback on Oct. 6, 1938. He passed away on his farm in rural Blue Mound,... [More]
Bernard E. “Gene” Post ~ 05-02-1934 to 12-15-2025
Linn County News Published March 4, 2026 Bernard E. “Gene” Post, 91, of Mound City, Kan., passed away peacefully on Dec. 15, 2025. Born on May 2, 1934, in Mound City, Kan., he lived a life marked by generosity, quiet strength, and unwavering... [More]
More Obituaries
- Joy Dean Young ~ 01-13-1939 to 02-16-2026
- Ramona June Holland ~ 04-19-1956 to 02-07-2026
- Rebecca Lowe ~ 01-04-1948 to 02-09-2026
- Rex McCulley ~ 11-27-1946 to 02-14-2026
- Beverly Ann (Kisinger) Griffin ~ 10-07-1942 to 02-03-2026
- Katherine Paulette Curry ~ 02-27-1945 to 01-31-2026
- Terry Dean Crump ~ 02-03-1942 to 01-27-2026
- Viola May “Budd” Ralston ~ 02-04-1933 to 01-21-2026
NEWS
SPECIAL NOTICE
Due to a lack of quorum at Tuesday's special meeting for USD 344 Board of Education to select the Ray Scholarship recipient the meeting has been rescheduled for this upcoming Wednesday evening, March 18, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Fear & urgency at heart of Centerville couple scam
Ungeheuer – “it can happen to anyone” Dillard and Charleta Ungeheuer sat at their kitchen table and contemplated many of the reasons the couple became victim’s costing them $20,000 and much stress and heartache. Dillard, who’d just come... [More]
Commissioners discuss 4H building with fair board
During Monday’s meeting, the Linn County Commissioners met with several members of the Linn County Fair Board, County Clerk Chasity Ware and County Counselor Jacklyn Paletta in executive session for the purpose of attorney-client privilege. Following the executive session,... [More]
More News
- La Cygne discusses one-cent sales tax
- USD 344 pays off STARS building
- Commissioners hear from appraiser on valuations report from KPI
- 2025 data is in: Four straight years of unaffordable assessed valuation hikes. Where’s the relief?
- USD 346 potential $10 million bond issue discussed
- SPECIAL - PUBLIC NOTICE LINN COUNTY, KANSAS PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
- Pleasanton contracts with engineer for water plant roof
- La Cygne Council approves property purchase
SPORTS
Jayhawk girls’ basketball finishes the season as Sub-State runner-up
The Jayhawk Linn girls’ basketball team hosted West Franklin on March 5 and traveled to West Franklin on March 7 for Sub-State basketball competition. The girls first hosted West Franklin in the West Franklin 3A Sub-State 1 to determine who went to the championship.... [More]
Pleasanton boys’ basketball finishes season as Sub-State runner up
The Pleasanton boys’ basketball team traveled to Madison on March 6 to compete in the championship game in the Madison 1A Div. 1 Sub-State 1. The boys entered the game as the one seed and a 22-1 record. The Jays got to the championship with a bye and a 47-28 semifinal... [More]
Pleasanton boys advance in Sub-State tournament, girls end season
The Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ basketball teams began their Sub-State tournament action this past week. Pleasanton is in the Madison 1A Div. 1 Sub-State and the boys entered the tournament as the 1 seed with a 20-1 record while the girls were the 11 seed with an... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk wrestling has four wrestlers place in the top four at State
- Prairie View boys’ wrestling sends two to State
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling sends five to State and sets milestones
- Prairie View basketball ends regular season with wins in the final week
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball finishes regular season as Three Rivers champions
- Jayhawk girls’ wrestling taking six wrestlers to State
- Pleasanton basketball faces off against Southeast and Erie
- Prairie View girls’ wrestling qualify five for State
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