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Linn County News

Published October 26, 2022

 

Mary Katherine (Lynn) Smith, retired businesswoman, farm operator and community volunteer, passed peacefully on Oct. 16, 2022, at the Residencies of Pleasanton, Kan. During the nearly seventy years that she resided in Pleasanton, she lived a life of service to others being a volunteer in numerous community activities. She was generous with her time and resources. Her sparkling, smiling Irish eyes will be missed.

She was born on April 11, 1927, in her maternal grandmother’s home in Centralia, Kan., the daughter of Edward B. Lynn and Hazel M. (Anthony) Lynn.  Mary Kay, as she was known to family and friends, graduated from Centralia High School in May 1945. Leaving her family’s farmstead for the city, she obtained employment in the summer of 1945 as a paralegal to Roy K. Dietrich, a prominent attorney in Kansas City, Mo. She also attended classes at night at the Kansas City Junior College in 1946-47 in the Westport District. On June 7, 1948, she and Daniel H. Smith, a WWII veteran and high school classmate, were married at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Church in Westport.

 After her marriage she worked in Strong Hall at the University of Kansas under Fred Ellsworth, executive secretary of the K. U. Alumni Association. Following her husband’s graduation from KU Pharmacy School in 1950, they lived in Kansas City and Ottawa, Kan. On April 1, 1953, she and her husband opened Dan Smith Rexall Drug Store, formerly Lhuiller Drug, in Pleasanton. In 1955 Mary Kay visited the University of Kansas Medical School where she recruited William Justus, M.D. to open his medical practice in Pleasanton.

She worked in the family’s pharmacy until its sale in 1992. During this time she was an active member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Pleasanton. An avid musician, she sang with several choral groups in Pleasanton and Arizona churches. 

In 1969, her husband and she purchased the family farm near Pleasanton where she resided until recently. In 1976, she became a licensed nursing home administrator and for the following decade was the administrator of the family’s facility, Pleasant View Manor, now known as the Residencies.

As the child of a teacher, she felt the most pleasure from teaching others to read. She volunteered for several years as a paraprofessional with the Head Start program in Pleasanton where she helped new generations of youngsters learn. She gladly sat on the floor with the kids, one on one. 

She is survived by her three children, Daniel of Overland Park, Stanley of Wichita and Dianna of the home; and by her six grandchildren, Tricia, Lauran, Christina, Alexa, Lindsey and Sam; and two great-grandsons Maxwell and Trenton.

According to Mary Kay's wishes, cremation has taken place and no services are planned. Arrangements are under the care of Schneider Funeral Home & Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel, Pleasanton, KS.

 

OBITUARIES

Robert W. VanWinkle ~ 09-08-1940 to 12-01-2023

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Linn County News Published December 6, 2023   Robert W. VanWinkle, age 83, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.   A service to celebrate Bob’s life will be announced at a later date.  Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.  ... [More]

Jolene Moriconi ~ 05-24-1936 to 11-30-2023

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Linn County News Published December 6, 2023   Jolene Moriconi, 87, of Lawrence, Kan., formerly of Paola, Kan., and Frontenac, Kan., passed away on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, at home surrounded by family. She was born May 24, 1936, in Frontenac, Kan., the daughter of... [More]

Perle David Patrick, Jr. ~ 05-07-1956 to 12-03-2023

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Linn County News Published Dec. 6, 2023   Perle David Patrick Jr., age 67, Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023.   Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel. Burial... [More]

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NEWS

Commissioners set parameters for P and Z to work on Section 14

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During the weekly meeting of the Linn County Commissioners on Monday, Dec. 4, Rich Morrell and Charlene Sims with the Linn County Planning Commission each addressed the commissioners in regard to the moratorium and the request to create a committee to work on Section 14. ... [More]

Bond sale garners 5.03 percent rate

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Linn County Clerk David Lamb presented the commissioners with documents to be signed by the commission chair during their weekly meeting on Monday, Dec. 4, in regard to the bond sale last Wednesday to refinance a portion of the original bond for the jail project.  Lamb... [More]

Burial permits reach conclusion, approval

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Linn County Public Works Director Shaun West noted he had reached out to the fiber installers south of the power plant in reference to questions the commissioners had concerning undone road work. West stated he learned the connection comes into the project from the west and moves... [More]

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SPORTS

Pleasanton basketball splits against Kansas City Christian

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The Pleasanton basketball team hosted their home opener against Kansas City Christian (KCC) on Dec. 1. The Jays split the varsity games with the girls falling in their game 20-29 and the boys winning big in their game, 78-44. The girls’ game started well as the Lady... [More]

Jayhawk cagers split tight openers

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Sophomore Brea Dawson scored 12 of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter, paving the way for Jayhawk Linn’s girls to claim a 43-38 season-opening win at Cass-Midway, Mo., Friday night. Despite a game-high 23 points from junior Braeden Nation, the ‘Hawk boys... [More]

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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.
• Obituaries submitted by funeral homes will be billed to the funeral home.
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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

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