Linn County News
Published July 6, 2022
Leslie (Les) Eugene Krull, 85, of Berryton, died Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at Prairie Winds Senior Living, in Berryton, Kan. He was born June 9, 1937, to Eugene and Roberta “Pauline” (Townsley) Krull at home in Mound City, Kan. The family then moved to a farm outside nearby Blue Mound, Kan., where he attended elementary and high school, excelling in every sport and graduating as valedictorian in 1955.
Les was offered full scholarships to both West Point and Kansas State. He chose the latter, playing four seasons of football “both ways” – as quarterback on offense and as safety on defense – and lettering his junior and senior seasons. Les received individual recognition for the 1958 season as a “Wildcat” senior, including All Big 8 Honorable Mention at Quarterback and Safety, Big 8 Passing Leader, and Most Valuable Player as selected by his K-State coaches and teammates. Les enjoyed supporting Wildcat football as a loyal alumni member of the Golden Cats former players club.
Before his senior year, Les married Roberta Arlene Stuart of Mound City on August 10, 1958.
After graduation with a general business degree in May 1959, he began a 41 year career with Hallmark Cards, Inc., on June 8, 1959, before retiring on July 10, 2000. Over his career, Les worked in a variety of supervisory and management positions in the Kansas City, Lawrence, and Topeka manufacturing plants. In 1984, Les became the Plant Manager of the Topeka Plant, serving for 17 years. For a time he served concurrently as Plant Manager over the production plants in Topeka and Osage City, until the latter was shuttered by Hallmark. A “people person,” Les knew the names of the more than 1,000 fellow Hallmarkers he led and he truly cared about each of them and their families. Closing the Osage Plant was the hardest thing he ever had to do while at Hallmark.
In addition to family and work, Les was active in the community, to include as a member of the United Methodist Church for the past 50 years, as chair of the Topeka United Way, as honorary chair of the first YWCA “Woman of Excellence” award program in 1991, as president of Topeka Crime Stoppers, as a board member of the YMCA, Boy Scouts, and Junior Achievement, and as a member of the Topeka and Kansas Chambers of Commerce, Topeka Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), Masonic Lodge #286, Scottish Rite, and Arab Shrine.
Les is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Roberta of nearly 64 years and his brother James Delmar Krull, Blue Mound. When Les prepared his “Last Wishes,” he concluded them with this: “My proudest achievement was participating with my wife Roberta in raising our three children to adulthood. We are proud of each of them and their own families.” His family legacy includes son Kyle (Gretchen) Krull, Overland Park, Kan.; daughter Kathi (Brian) Barlow, Peru, Kan.; and daughter Karen (Daniel) Remboldt, Brush Creek, Tenn.; and eleven grandchildren (Scott, Christopher, Stefanie, Sarah, Kirsten, Anneliese, Jesse, Matthew, Brandon, Bethany, and Josiah) and ten great-grandchildren (Brenn, Blake, Jett, Kannon, Trey, Blayse, Olivia, Stratton, Hope, and Gaston).
As Les grew up hoeing miles of bean fields, milking cows, driving a tractor, and doing all manner of general farm chores, he lived out his rural values by practicing the Golden Rule, working hard and having fun. Les always considered himself that same “farm boy” from Blue Mound. While he held others to high standards, they were no higher than the standards he set for himself. He was known for his unique, active sense of humor and was a gifted storyteller. Les was generous to a fault.
Les summarized his life in the family history he wrote in 2006, as follows:
“Roberta has been a strength for our family direction and our life. I am personally very blessed in the life the Lord has allowed me to live. I thank him for it.”
The family would especially like to thank the “care team” at Prairie Wind Senior Center for their loving, extra-mile care of Les and the entire family in his last days.
A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, July 8, at Berryton United Methodist Church, 7010 SE Berryton Rd, Berryton, Kan. Rev. Annie Ricker will conduct a Celebration of Life service at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, also at Berryton United Methodist Church. A visitation “down home” will be from 3 to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 9, at Schneider Funeral Home Chapel, 319 Chestnut, Mound City, Kan. Following the visitation, there will be a brief graveside service at Sunny Slope Cemetery, Blue Mound, Kan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in person at the visitations or Celebration of Life (or online) to Berryton United Methodist Church, 7010 SE Berryton Rd, Berryton, Kan. 66409 (https://secure.myvanco.com/YGVE/home or Shriners’ Childrens, St Louis, 4400 Clayton Ave, St. Louis, Mo. 63110 (https://www.stlouischildrens.org/giving) or (non-deductible) Prairie Wind Senior Care, 5227 SE 77 th St, Berryton, Kan. 66409.
To leave a remembrance online, please visit www.DoveTopeka.com and/or www.SchneiderFunerals.com.
OBITUARIES
Clarence Lee Miller ~ 08-07-1962 to 05-08-2024
Linn County News Published May 20, 2024 Clarence Lee Miller, age 61, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, May 10, 2024, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel. Burial will... [More]
Ruby M. Nielson ~ 01-21-1932 to 04-27-2024
Linn County News Published May 8, 2024 Ruby M. Nielson, 92, of Berryton, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at a Burlington, Kan., hospital. A Celebration of Ruby’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota... [More]
Patty Conklin ~ 08-31-1932 to 04-26-2024
Linn County News Published May 1, 2024 Patty Conklin age 91 of Parker, Kan., died Friday, April 26, 2024, at Good Samaritan’s in Olathe, Kan. Visitation will be from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursday May 2, followed by service at 11:30 a.m., all at First Baptist Church... [More]
More Obituaries
- Robert “Bob” Eugene Markley ~ 04-11-1936 to 04-15-2024
- Ronald Joe Smith ~ 05-10-1944 to 04-11-2024
- Mary Tinsley ~ 12-15-1935 to 04-09-2024
- Frederick John “Fritz” Johanning, Jr. ~ 08-10-1948 to 03-26-2024
- Doris Maxine Basore ~ 01-02-1920 to 03-10-2024
- Janice (Good) Waltmire ~ 08-20-1937 to 03-09-2024
- Richard Lee Strader ~ 06-08-1974 to 02-24-24
- Robert William Harper, Jr. ~ 07-14-1947 to 02-24-2024
NEWS
Commissioners hear reports on Hell’s Bend Bridge
Discussions turn to other road issues Linn County Public Works Administrator Shawn West reported to Commissioners on the Hell’s Bend bridge project noting in particular the rising costs associated with the repair, as well as what makes Hell’s Bend a priority... [More]
La Cygne Fire Station ribbon cutting held
The culmination of months to years of preparation, saving and work came together Saturday, May 4 as the La Cygne Fire Station ribbon cutting was held and the community was invited to see the finished product. A large grill was set up outside of what will be the maintenance... [More]
Evergy reps speak about bridges at commissioners’ meeting
Kyle Lewis, Director of Operations at the La Cygne Generating Station, and Robert Hollinsworth, Plant Manager at La Cygne Generating Station spoke to commissioners on Monday, May 6, regarding two bridges in the county that the company currently owns and maintains. Lewis explained... [More]
More News
- Special: U.S. 69 resurfacing project starts this week
- Special: Governor issues State of Disaster Emergency proclamation for approaching severe weather
- Commissioners hear damage report, declare county as state, local disaster site
- Mayor vetoes vacating 7th Street off of Main
- USD 362 to wait on admin addition
- Commissioners appoint new county counselor
- La Cygne accepts desludging cost
- USD 362 sets capacity numbers
SPORTS
Jayhawk and Pleasanton baseball split in double header
The Pleasanton baseball team traveled to Jayhawk Linn on April 30 to play in a Three Rivers League double-header against their county rivals. The Jays had the better first game as they won 14-4. Both offenses were performing the second game but this time the Hawks got the better... [More]
Prairie View softball goes 4-0 against Osawatomie and Girard
The Prairie View softball team faced Osawatomie and Girard this past week. They hosted Osawatomie on April 30 and won both games of a double-header 11-0 and 13-3. They traveled to Girard on May 3 for another double-header and won both games 6-1 and 6-2. The first game against... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View track takes top two places at Jayhawk
- Pleasanton track has a school record mark set at Jayhawk Invitational
- Prairie View softball goes 4-2 in busy week
- Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and Oswego
- Jayhawk baseball splits against Southeast Cherokee
- Prairie View track has strong performance at Anderson County
- Jayhawk track wins Pleasanton Invitational
- Pleasanton track hosts home invitational
OBITUARIES POLICY
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com