Linn County News
Published Sept. 20, 2017
Lura Jean (Wilson) Zinn, age 82 of Hume, Mo., died Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at Prescott Country View Nursing Home in Prescott, Kan. She was born Aug. 21, 1935, to Zella Mae Gregg Wilson and Earl DeVoe Wilson in Metz, Mo., the youngest of six children.
Jean attended several small schools in the Metz/Horton area and eventually the family moved to Nevada, Mo., where she completed her education, graduating from Nevada High School in 1953. During the summer before her final year of high school she was introduced to her future husband Willis Albert Zinn Jr. by her older brother Leroy at a weekend dance at Radio Springs Park. Willis insisted they wait to be married until she turned 18. They were united in marriage on Sept. 6, 1953, two weeks after her birthday.
Jean worked for a short time with Farm Bureau as office support/bookkeeper. Two years into the marriage their first child was born. Jean then began to work part-time for the lumberyard Willis managed. When Willis started working for the FAA as an air route traffic controller, Jean became a full-time wife and mother.
They had three girls stair-stepped two years apart. This began Jean’s career as a Girl Scouts leader and council volunteer. She started as a Brownie Troop Leader with her oldest daughter Cathy in 1962 and continued even after her youngest daughter Karen had completed her time in scouting. Jean was a troop leader for each of her girls as well as volunteering at the council level for many years. Her favorite times were the council-wide trips she organized, taking girls to see various places. The two major trips were to Mexico City, Mexico, to the Girl Scout World Center and a trip to Washington, D.C., for the national Girl Scout center. In 1980 she retired from active scouting and became a Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts.
At this point she and Willis began their retirement careers as “gypsies.” Jean celebrated her 60th birthday in Hawaii with her middle daughter Pam. She had made it to all 50 states. She and Willis spent at least three months each winter in Florida, many summers in Alaska, trips to New England to see fall foliage and trips to California to see one of their daughters. In 1993 they made a point of visiting all four corners of the U.S.
Her favorite activities included playing dominos, doing word search puzzles, reading and playing cards, but most of all caring for her family. In addition to being a Lifetime Member of the Girl Scouts, she was a member of the Hume Methodist Church and the Hume Garden Club.
Jean is survived by three daughters, Cathy Thurow and husband Larry of Monticello, Ill., Pamela “Pam” Yarick and husband Meredith of Hume, Mo., and Karen McClure and husband Tom of Bloomington, Ill.; five grandchildren, Heather Kibbler and husband Sam, Ian Thurow, Kimberly Yarick, Brook Appleby and husband Aaron, and Bill McClure; many nephews; two brothers, Leroy Wilson and H.D. Wilson; one sister, Linda Byrns; and nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Willis (in 2013); one sister, Emily Bird; one brother, Orton Wilson; and one grandson, Matthew Yarick.
Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, at the Hume United Methodist Church. Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the church.
The family suggests contributions to the Hume United Methodist Church or Prescott Country View. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.schneiderfuneralscom. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory Pleasanton Chapel.
OBITUARIES
John Clayton Bowman ~ 02-01-1944 to 08-17-2025

Linn County News Published August 20, 2025 John Clayton Bowman, age 81, Parker, Kan., passed away Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. He was born on Feb. 1, 1944, in Goodrich, Kan., the son of John Thomas “Tom” Bowman and Carrie Theodoshia Shafer Bowman. John attended... [More]
Arnold Joseph Lickteig ~ 05-16-1931 to 07-31-2025

Linn County News Published August 6, 2025 Arnold Joseph Lickteig, age 94, formerly of Greeley, Kan., passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Colonial Oaks Senior Living at Spring Hill in Spring Hill, Kan. Arnie was born on May 16, 1931, on a farm east of Greeley,... [More]
Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025

Linn County News Published July 30, 2025 Joe W. Mann, age 73 of La Cygne, Kan., passed away at his home on Saturday, July 26, 2025. There are no services scheduled at this time. Contributions are suggested to the Schneider Funeral Home and may be sent... [More]
More Obituaries
- Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025
- Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025
- Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
NEWS
Linn County News website gets new update

Recently you may have seen our notification on our website or our Facebook page that we were undergoing some changes on our website at www.linncountynews.net. We here at the News are happy to announce those changes are nearly complete. Changes to the website include an easier... [More]
Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral

County now required to cut budget to meet the RNR rate BY $837,000 The Linn County commissioners, with Commissioner Jason Hightower absent, began the revenue neutral hearing on Monday, Aug. 25, by welcoming those in the audience and stating the purpose and objective... [More]
Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles

The Linn Valley City Council held a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present except for John Weers. City Attorney James Brun was also present. The meeting began with a presentation by city’s financial... [More]
More News
- Sheriff speaks out on employee benefits
- Jayhawk Blast set for Saturday, Sept. 6
- Pleasanton Council readies city for General Pleasonton Days
- Parker 2026 city budget could exceed revenue neutral
- La Cygne proceeds with facilities improvement
- Economic Development Director resigns
- Pleasanton moves forward with streets plan
- USD 344 adopts new cell phone policy
SPORTS
Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’

It’s another one of those…So…stories. So, last weekend was an adventure. I’ve gotten involved with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Wild Foods Academy (WFA) that is a pilot program designed to educate many ‘left-0ut’ people’s... [More]
Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair

The annual Linn County Fair and Rodeo Fishing Derby was held on the morning of Aug. 9. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks fish biologist Don George has been heading the derby since 1987 and this year was no different. The derby was divided into three age... [More]
Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull

The Linn County Farm Bureau Association hosted the annual kids’ pedal pull on the evening of Aug. 8. Kids 4 to 12 can compete in the event for a chance to earn a spot at the State pedal pull at Hutchinson. Trophies and a place at the State fair was awarded to the... [More]
More Sports
- From the Bleachers – 717
- Annual demo derby kicks off this year’s Linn County Fair and Rodeo
- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
- Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest
- PV Cheer has strong performances at UCA Summer Camp 2025
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
• Must be received by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning in order to appear in that week's edition.
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• Cost: $40 for 300 words or less. Each additional word over 300, 10¢. Photograph $5.
Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
