Linn County News
Published March 5, 2025
It is with deep sorrow that the family of Keith Couch shares the news of his passing. Keith lived a life filled with love, faith, and service, sharing the love of Christ with everyone he encountered.
He left this world peacefully, in victory, and ready to join his Creator in heaven. We take comfort in knowing he is now at peace, full of joy in God’s presence.
Keith passed away on March 1, 2025, at the age of 97. He was born on June 22, 1927, in Kansas City, Kan. On June 3, 1949, he married the love of his life, Martha Frasier Couch, and together they built a life of love and devotion that spanned 75 years.
At just 17, Keith left high school to serve his country, joining the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. After returning home to Kansas City, he pursued a career in law, practicing for 40 years. He was the founding partner of the Overland Park law firm Couch, Pierce and King, where he remained until his retirement in 1997.
Keith had a passion for the outdoors and a heart for service. He was a devoted Boy Scout Master for 17 years and found great joy in hiking, jogging, canoeing, mountain climbing and camping.
In 1975, he fulfilled his dream of owning land and developing a Christmas tree farm in rural Mound City, as well as finishing off an A-frame cabin in Eaglenest, N.M. Martha and Keith returned to Overland Park in 2012 to be closer to family.
Above all, Keith cherished his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Martha Couch; his children, Doug Couch and wife, Crista, of Lenexa, and Amy Gable and husband, Mac Gable, of Heath, Texas; his grandchildren, Daniel Gable, Aaron Couch, Paige Meyer; step grandchildren Shirin Abvabi, Shara Abvabi, and Sheyda Best; and his eight beautiful great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Keith’s Life will be held on March 12 at 2 p.m. for family and friends at Brookdale Independent Living Facility, 6101 West 119th Street, Overland Park, Kan. 66209.
OBITUARIES
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]
Joy Dean Young ~ 01-13-1939 to 02-16-2026
Linn County News Published Feb. 25, 2026 Joy Dean Young, age 87 of Mound City, Kan., passed away at his home on Feb. 16, 2026. There are no services scheduled at this time. Services under the direction of Schneider Funeral Home, Mound City Chapel.
More Obituaries
- 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
- Jerel Lynn Pankratz ~ 12-08-1956 to 01-20-2026
NEWS
Commissioners hear from appraiser on valuations report from KPI
During the meeting on March 2, the Linn County Commissioners heard from County Appraiser Lisa Kellstadt who stated that in response to the KPI (Kansas Policy Institute) report on valuations she had sent documents to each commissioner and would like to report on those. Kellstadt... [More]
2025 data is in: Four straight years of unaffordable assessed valuation hikes. Where’s the relief?
Assessed valuation changes for 2025, released this morning, reiterate the need for a constitutional amendment to limit the increases. The average increase for existing residential property (not counting new construction) of 5.9% is more than double the inflation rate, and that’s... [More]
USD 346 potential $10 million bond issue discussed
The USD 346 Board of Education held a special meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 25, to discuss options for renovating the science suite at Jayhawk Linn along with several other items. The meeting began with discussing a timeline, with HVAC and plumbing kicking things off and a pre-construction... [More]
More News
- SPECIAL - PUBLIC NOTICE LINN COUNTY, KANSAS PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
- Pleasanton contracts with engineer for water plant roof
- La Cygne Council approves property purchase
- Commissioners discuss future of economic development
- Linn County Planning Commission approves Thies motorcycle CUP
- Governor Kelly issues state of disaster emergency for wildland fires
- Parker City Council awards roofing bid
- Commissioners receive update on large-scale culvert project
SPORTS
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]
Jayhawk wrestling has four wrestlers place in the top four at State
The Jayhawk boys’ and girls’ wrestling teams traveled to Hays on Feb. 27-28 to compete in the 3-1A State tournament. The Hawks brought a total of 11 wrestlers to the event, six girls and five boys. The boys’ team earned three State medals while the girls’... [More]
Prairie View boys’ wrestling sends two to State
The Prairie View boys’ wrestling team traveled to Paola on Feb. 21 to compete in a 4A Regional to determine who would make the 4A State tournament in Salina on Feb. 27-28. The Buffalos took eight wrestlers and two emerged as qualifiers for the State tournament, Bentlee... [More]
More Sports
- 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
- Prairie View boys/girls’ wrestling hosts Jayhawk in a dual
- Pleasanton basketball travels to Northeast and hosts Yates Center during Courtwarming week
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
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