Linn County News
Published Nov. 24, 2021
Kristina Diane Roth, age 43, of Hesston, Kan., entered her heavenly home on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021.
Kris was born March 11, 1978, the daughter of Robert (Bob) and Diane Burnett in Garnett, Kan., and lived with her family in Princeton, Kan.
Kris attended Prairie View High School, graduating with honors in 1996. She was a member of the Richmond and La Cygne United Methodist churches while growing up.
As a Kansas State University student, Kris was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and active in the KSU Methodist Campus Ministry Program. On Sept. 28, 1996, she met the love of her life, Derek Roth, on a blind date. On Dec. 18, 1999, Kris and Derek were married at the Paola United Methodist Church. Kris graduated in May 2000 with a B.S. in family and consumer science education.
Derek and Kris made their home in Hesston. Kris used her degree teaching FACS at Hillsboro High School. Kris loved teaching, but once God blessed her with her first son, teaching took a back seat to the job she loved most, being a mother. Benjamin James was born Aug. 12, 2001. Shortly after, Lucas Aaron joined the family on Nov. 5, 2003. A third son, Elijah Nicolas, was born Jan. 23, 2008. The family was complete with the birth of Josiah Christopher on June 10, 2010.
In addition to raising their four boys, Kris was a frequent substitute teacher in the Hesston school district. She enjoyed investing in the youth of her community, as a youth group leader and middle school PTO president. She was an active member of the Women’s Civic Club and served on the board of the Hesston Community Foundation and the fellowship committee at Hesston MB. Passionate about serving others, Kris was frequently the first to volunteer for any opportunity to serve her community.
Along with her loving husband Derek of almost 22 years, Kris is survived by her four sons, all of Hesston; her parents, Robert (Bob) and Diane Burnett, La Cygne, Kan.; her brother, Jason (Nichole) Burnett, Olathe, Kan.; and sister Abby (Rob) Hedrick, Overland Park, Kan. She is also survived by her paternal grandmother, Martha Chambers, Osage City, Kan.; and 14 nieces and nephews.
Kris was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Robert (Bob) and Dorothy Cooper, Richmond, Kan.; and her paternal grandfather, Otis Burnett, Tracy, Mo.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at Hesston Mennonite Brethren Church. Burial will follow at Hesston Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, at the church, with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kris Roth Memorial Fund with the Hesston Community Foundation, P.O. Box 399, Hesston, Kan. 67062 or online at bit.ly/krisroth-memorialfund.
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]
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- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
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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
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

