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
Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025

Linn County News Published April 30, 2025 Bonnie Faye Bishop, age 76, Olathe, Kan., passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025. She was born on March 25, 1949, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of William and Imogene Krueger Carter. After graduating from high... [More]
Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025

Linn County News Published April 30, 2025 Lois A. Murray, age 93, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Overland Park, Kan. Lois was born the daughter of Arlie and Winifred Stanhope Poindexter on Nov. 3, 1931, near Drexel, Mo.... [More]
Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025

Linn County News Published April 23, 2025 Dr. Howard F. Wilson, age 87, of Garnett, Kan., passed away on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kan. Howard Frank Wilson was born on Feb. 5, 1938, in Garden City, Mo. He was the... [More]
More Obituaries
- Anna Louise Stites ~ 09-27-1946 to 04-13-2025
- Sandra Kay “Sandy” Crooks ~ 01-08-1949 to 04-13-2025
- Richard Lee Keaton ~ 01-29-1935 to 04-05-2025
- Linda Ann Pruitt ~ 05-08-1953 to 04-07-2025
- Ira “Sonny” Ray Caruthers, Jr. ~ 05-23-1955 to 04-02-2025
- Michelle Lynn Young ~ 05-20-1967 to 04-04-2025
- Phyllis Sybil Colbert ~ 11-23-1935 to 03-28-2025
- Joseph Francis “Mr. Joe” Cunningham ~ 03-17-1967 to 03-31-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: Legislative Update

April 18, 2025 Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act, SB 9, prohibits foreign adversaries from purchasing property within 100 miles of a military installation and any foreign adversary ownership of non-residential real property purchased prior to July 1, 2025,... [More]
16 criminal cases from Tanglewood Lake incident dismissed

Late Wednesday afternoon, April 16, orders were filed dismissing all 16 current cases on file in Linn County District Court concerning the Tanglewood Lake gate incident, 14 of which were filed against separate individuals that stemmed from the incident in May 2023. According... [More]
Tanglewood seeks clarification, aid from county

During the April 21 meeting, Linn County Commissioner Jason Hightower reported to his fellow board members that he had met with the Tanglewood Lake board president and a resident the previous week and noted that they wanted a resolution or motion that clarified if the roads are... [More]
More News
- Commission workshop hears of justification for SEKMHC CEO $600,000 salary
- La Cygne police get automatic plate readers
- Notice
- Public comment results in allegations of unethical behavior
- Parker reinstates local policing
- Two charged following vehicular incident in Parker
- Pleasanton approves zoning request
- La Cygne leaders talk future street improvements
SPORTS
Jayhawk track wins the Pleasanton Invitational

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Pleasanton on April 15 for the Pleasanton Invitational. The Hawks did very well as both the boys’ and girls’ teams won the meet. The girls won with a score of 188 points while the boys won with a score of 127 points. There were... [More]
Pleasanton track places in top three at home invitational

The Pleasanton track team hosted their home invitational on April 15. The Jays did well as both the boys’ and girls’ teams placed in the top three out of nine teams. The boys were second with 92 points while the girls were third with 107.5 points. “It was... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk baseball earns first victories of the season
- Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ track teams win Oswego Invitational
- Prairie View softball falls in league contest to Iola
- Prairie View softball drops close games against Santa Fe Trail
- Pleasanton baseball falls to Southeast Cherokee and Marmaton Valley
- Jayhawk softball splits against Central Heights
- Prairie View softball starts season 3-1
- Pleasanton baseball opens season 2-2 against Oswego and Crest
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

