Linn County News
Published March 31, 2021
Mary Ellen Brownback passed away on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at the age of 87 in Ellsworth, Kan.
Ellen was born in Hume, Mo., on Aug. 3, 1933, to William Jesse and Susie (Davis) Adams. After graduating from Hume High School, she met the love of her life, Gene Brownback, and they were married on July 22, 1951.
Ellen and Gene were longtime residents of Osawatomie, Kan., where they raised a family and owned Brownback Hardware, which Ellen managed. She was voted Woman of the Year by the Miami County Business and Professional Women’s Club, and was a member of PEO, Delta Epsilon Sorority, and Eastern Star. Ellen loved sewing and quilting, and playing cards with friends. As an active member of her church, Ellen’s faith was a very important part of her life.
Ellen and Gene enjoyed time at the lake, fishing and boating with family. After retirement they spent winters in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, basking in the warmer climate. Later, they moved to Ellsworth where they delighted in making new friends, spending time at the Ellsworth Senior Center, attending church and becoming involved in the community.
Ellen was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Gene Brownback; her parents; and her sister, Sarah Ann Stuart.
She is survived by her two sons and their families, Steve (Patti) Brownback of Overland Park and Dave (Cheryl) Brownback of Ellsworth; four grandchildren, Sarah (Neil) Wortman of Southlake, Texas, Jeff (Susie) Brownback of Andover, Kan., Thomas (Kate) Brownback of Washington D.C., and Doug (Michelle) Brownback of Pierre, S.D.; along with eight great-grandchildren, Lucas and Nathan Wortman, J.P. and Luke Brownback, Olivia and Everly Brownback, and Owen and Miles Brownback.
A private family inurnment will take place at Osawatomie Cemetery in Osawatomie, Kan.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ellsworth County Food Bank c/o Parsons Funeral Home, Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439. Obituary can be viewed and condolences left at parsonsfh.com.
OBITUARIES
Zachary Eldon White ~ 06-12-1992 to 04-29-2025

Linn County News Published May 7, 2025 Zachary Eldon White, 32, of Mound City, Kan., died on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. He was born on June 12, 1992, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Roger and Jessica Smith White. He graduated from Jayhawk Linn High School in the Class... [More]
Rebecca S. Landers 12-30-1964 to 04-18-2025

Linn County News Published May 7, 2025 Rebecca S. Landers, 60, wife of Troy Landers, passed away Friday, April 18, 2025, at the Horton House in Fort Scott, Kan. She was born Dec. 30, 1964, in Ottawa, Kan., the daughter of Maurice Edward Zimmerman and Sarah Ellen... [More]
Ira Johnathan “Sonny” Robinson ~ 04-10-1944 to 04-26-2025

Linn County News Published May 7, 2025 Ira Johnathan "Sonny" Robinson, age 81, Mapleton, Kan., passed away Saturday, April 26, 2025. No formal services are planned. Memorial contributions can be made to St Jude Children's Hospital. ... [More]
More Obituaries
- Paul Dean Benham ~ 09-23-1944 to 04-26-2025
- Bonnie Faye Bishop ~ 03-25-1949 to 04-22-2025
- Lois A. Murray ~ 11-03-1931 to 04-20-2025
- Dr. Howard F. Wilson ~ 02-05-1938 to 04-20-2025
- Anna Louise Stites ~ 09-27-1946 to 04-13-2025
- Sandra Kay “Sandy” Crooks ~ 01-08-1949 to 04-13-2025
- Richard Lee Keaton ~ 01-29-1935 to 04-05-2025
- Linda Ann Pruitt ~ 05-08-1953 to 04-07-2025
NEWS
Commissioners discuss effects of city disbandment of fire department

During the Public Works report at the May 5 meeting Linn County Commissioners heard a brief report on mutual aid agreements for the Linn County Rural Fire Department and what effect the possible disbandment of the Pleasanton Fire Department will have on the county. District... [More]
Blue Mound discusses financing options for water tower project

Members of the Blue Mound City Council heard from Tom Fingers of Midwest Assistance Program and Joey McLiney from McLiney and Company concerning options for financing the water tower on Monday, May 5, for their regular monthly meeting. The city has received a grant... [More]
La Cygne leaders contemplate sales tax adjustment

After bond defeasance, election would be required to alter stated fund focus By all appearances, La Cygne voters may not be far away from seeing a ballot proposal to alter the stated focus for one of its two 1-cent city sales taxes. Information at the two regular... [More]
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- County counselor issues statement on Tanglewood roads
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- SPECIAL: Legislative Update
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- Tanglewood seeks clarification, aid from county
- Commission workshop hears of justification for SEKMHC CEO $600,000 salary
- La Cygne police get automatic plate readers
SPORTS
Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational

The Prairie View track team hosted their home invitational on May 1. The Buffalos did very well as the girls won the meet with a score of 142 and the boys placed second with a score of 92. Central Heights won the meet for the boys with a score of 103. Once again, the Buffalos... [More]
Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Prairie View on May 1 to compete in the Prairie View Invitational. The Hawks did well at the event as the girls placed second overall with 124 points while the boys placed third overall with 89 points. Here are the individual... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk hosts home track invitational
- Prairie View track competes at Jayhawk Invitational
- Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and falls to Uniontown
- Jayhawk track wins the Pleasanton Invitational
- Pleasanton track places in top three at home invitational
- Prairie View track has multiple gold winners at Anderson County, top athletes compete at KU Relays
- Jayhawk baseball earns first victories of the season
- Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ track teams win Oswego Invitational
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

