Linn County News
Published Sept. 1, 2021
Mary Kretchmar went home to Heaven on Aug. 26, 2021.
Mary, or Mary Jane if you’re from Linn County or knew her from her younger days, was born in a little farmhouse in Mound City, Kan., on Aug. 11, 1946. She was raised there alongside her big brother, David (Peggy) Wakefield, by her parents, (Mildred) Maxine and Lloyd Wakefield.
After high school, Mary went to college at Pittsburg State University. It was there where she met and fell in love with her husband, Butch (Richard) Kretchmar, in the now infamous grape slush incident. They tied the knot on Sept. 19, 1965, and were married for 55 years before Butch passed away just last year.
Together, they raised their three children, Jeff (Valerie) Kretchmar, Susie (David) Killgore, and Katie (Joe) McDonald. Any summer night you would find her at a ballpark watching the kids play. The girls were both in dance, so she tirelessly sewed costumes and chauffeured them to practices, competitions and workshops all over the place. She was a Girl Scout leader, room mother, PTA president and anything else she could do to be involved. Through it all, she not only bonded with her own kids but was like a second mom to countless others.
When the kids were grown, Mary and Butch found other interests like traveling, square dancing, attending Nascar races and eventually following their grandkids in their activities. They went to hockey, baseball, basketball and soccer games. They went to car races, music shows and cheerleading competitions. And they loved every minute of it. Except when it was cold. They didn’t love that!
Mary also belonged to a sorority and dearly loved her Xi Chi sisters. Whether just the girls for a shopping trip to Kansas City or bringing the husbands along to one of their elaborate theme parties, a good time was always in order with this group!
Mary’s grandchildren, Kendall (Katie) Pulliam, Kaylee Killgore, Kyle (Sara) Killgore, Keylan (Colleen) Killgore, Cody (Taylor Webber) Kretchmar, Jackson McDonald and Christian McDonald, loved her fiercely and will miss her terribly. She also leaves behind three adorable great-granddaughters, Kendall’s Lila Setzkorn and Savvy Pulliam, and Kaylee’s Lilee Killgore.
While they are so very sad to say goodbye, they rejoice in knowing that she is reunited with her love. The final words to the final chapter of one of the greatest love stories ever have now been written. But that story will be cherished forever.
The funeral service was scheduled at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, 10515 W. Maple, Wichita, Kan. 67209. Graveside service was to be immediately following at Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorials have been established with: League 42 Foundation, P.O. Box 20051, Wichita, KS 67208; and Kansas RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), P.O. Box 12443, Kansas City, KS 66112.
Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com.
OBITUARIES
Dale W. Cobbs ~ 05-05-1945 to 07-18-2024
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Linn County News Published July 24 2024 Dale W. Cobbs, age 79, of Bush City, Kan., passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at St. Luke’s South Hospital in Overland Park, Kan. Dale Wayne Cobbs was born on May 5, 1945, he was the second son born to Everett Wayne... [More]
James E. Wright ~ 01-07-1933 to 07-21-2024
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Linn County News Published July 24, 2024 James E. Wright, age 91, Mound City, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 21, 2024. Visitation will be held 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, July 29, 2024, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel. Memorial contributions... [More]
Roland L. Weir 07-09-1946 to 07-07-2024
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Linn County News Published July 17, 2024 Roland L. Weir, age 77, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away in Yates Center, Kan., on July 7, 2024. He was born the son of Beulah Bledsoe on July 9, 1946, in La Cygne, Kan. Growing up and living in La Cygne all his life,... [More]
More Obituaries
- Edward Floyd “Ed” Maloney 10-14-1928 to 07-04-2024
- Betty Alice Smith Fyock 11-02-1931 to 07-04-2024
- Clarence William “Bill” Craven 06-26-1945 to 07-03-2024
- Rolleen Diann Stites 08-12-1950 to 07-04-2024
- Sa’Faree Nicole Woodberry ~ 02-14-2024 to 06-26-2024
- Billy Sherwin Hardesty ~ 04-07-1941 to 06-27-2024
- Darlene M. (Oetting) Fischer ~ 02-02-1931 to 06-27-2024
- Neal Edward Mathews ~ 10-14-1938 to 06-29-2024
NEWS
Commissioners discuss adding new position
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During the course of the July 22 meeting the commissioners and Public Works Administrator Shaun West discussed the possibility of adding a position of County Administrator. The discussion began with West noting that the Road and Bridge budget would be dependent on whether or... [More]
Work progresses on USD 362 daycare
Facility will carry the name of ‘Little Buffs’ Daycare Work to renovate Unified School District 362’s former bus barn into a preschool child daycare facility continues to progress toward a goal of being ready when classes begin next month. Financial... [More]
Political forum scheduled for Thursday
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The 2024 Primary Election is scheduled Tuesday, Aug. 6, and with that the Linn County News Political Primary Forum is scheduled for Thursday, July 25 at 6 p.m. The forum will feature local candidates, state and national candidates or their representatives. It will be held at... [More]
More News
- USD 346 accepts donations, bids Farm-to-Plate initiative
- Survey for guardrail improvements to begin at Mound City
- Commissioners set evening meeting on last week of the month
- USD 362 to notify revenue exceedance
- Parker to submit exceedance resolution
- Tempers flare during commissioners meeting
- Pleasanton approves land sale resolution
- Legalese complicates La Cygne items
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team makes finals at Nationals
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The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Mason, Mich. from July 12-14 to compete in the USA High School Clay Target League (USAHSCTL) National Championship. The team performed well both as an individual and a team. The action started on July 12 as Pleasanton/Jayhawk... [More]
Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team places second at TRL tournament
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The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team and Pleasanton 2 girls’ coach pitch team competed in the Three Rivers League girls’ coach pitch tournament at Bronson on July 5-6. Pleasanton 1 did not participate in the tournament. Pleasanton 2 was the four seed in... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton T-Ball hosts Three Rivers League boys’ T-Ball tournament
- Local ball players make Sports In Kansas All State teams
- Prairie View students receive spring kudos
- 2024 All Linn County Softball team
- 2024 All Linn County Baseball team
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk Linn trapshooting team competes at State Tournament
- Prairie View trapshooting JV team places second at State
- Mound City hosts youth fishing derby
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
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