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
Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025

Linn County News Published July 30, 2025 Joe W. Mann, age 73 of La Cygne, Kan., passed away at his home on Saturday, July 26, 2025. There are no services scheduled at this time. Contributions are suggested to the Schneider Funeral Home and may be sent... [More]
Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025

Linn County News Published July 23, 2025 Jean Driskell, age 82, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, July 18, 2025. Memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation... [More]
Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]
More Obituaries
- Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
- Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025
- Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025
NEWS
Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of La Cygne, Linn County

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of LaCygne public water supply system located in Linn County. Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: Boil water for one minute... [More]
Pleasanton PD makes drug arrest during domestic call

On July 24 officers with the Pleasanton Police Department responded to a call for an ongoing domestic issue at 605 E. 5th Street in Cabin 3 with the assistance of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. During the ensuing investigation, it was found that the... [More]
Commissioners review departmental budgets

SEKMHC budget cut During the July 28 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners reviewed several departmental budgets. Discussions began with Linn County Sheriff James Akes. Sheriff Akes explained to commissioners that initially he had budgeted extra hours to cover... [More]
More News
- Wisdom appointed Pleasanton Fire Chief
- Pleasanton Council cuts to get to revenue neutral
- Local residents warn of bad business practices
- Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County
- Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion
- La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral
- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

