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

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

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

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]
More Obituaries
- John Ted Miles ~ 01-29-1960 to 05-01-2025
- Zachary Eldon White ~ 06-12-1992 to 04-29-2025
- Rebecca S. Landers 12-30-1964 to 04-18-2025
- Ira Johnathan “Sonny” Robinson ~ 04-10-1944 to 04-26-2025
- 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
NEWS
SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

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

Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]
Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

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]
More News
- USD 362 board rejects adding bus A/C
- SPECIAL: Blue Mound man seriously injured in accident
- Commissioners make official statement on Tanglewood roads
- La Cygne okays local police firing range
- Mound City council adopts rules for camping
- LCSO releases statement on incident
- Pleasanton requests 1-year automatic aid fire extension
- Commissioners hear update, discuss aid agreement for Pleasanton FD
SPORTS
Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

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

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]
More Sports
- Lady Hawks win league as Hawks host TRL meet
- Pleasanton track sets school records at Pioneer League track meet
- Prairie View track sets meet and league records at Wellsville
- Pleasanton baseball splits against Jayhawk
- Prairie View softball defeats Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk baseball earns win over Pleasanton
- Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational
- Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

