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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

Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

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Linn County News Published June 4, 2025   Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]

Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United... [More]

Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

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Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]

Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

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Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

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The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present.    Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]

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SPORTS

Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

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The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]

School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

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The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [More]

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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

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