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Our precious mother, grandma, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend left her earthly home Dec. 12, 2014, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa.
Odiva Jean Little Elder Ethridge was born in Cameron, Texas Dec. 3, 1927 to Grady and Oma (Weems) Little. That remained her home until her marriage to Frank Elder of Salina, Kan., in 1945. He preceded her in death in 1976. To this union six children were born.
For most of their married life they resided in rural Saline County, Kan., where they farmed. Jean, as she was known, worked at Salina’s First United Methodist Church for 38 years as a church hostess. She was a dedicated 4-H club leader, a Sunday School teacher, a charter member of Salina TOPS club, the Peacemakers SS Class, a lifetime member of the VFW, Federated Women, (OES) and United Methodist Women Altar Society.
She married Eugene Ethridge in 1980 in Salina, Kan., who also preceded her death in 1994.
Jean loved all sports and was an avid KU, K-State and Dallas Cowboys fan. Jean loved music of all kinds from country to opera. She loved a good story and laughed with her whole being. She loved her family and gave them her all, often going without so they could have. She often worked day and night to keep food on the table and clothing. She made the best angel food cake in the world and was a genius at telling scary Halloween stories. She made homemade butter, clothes, ice-cream, and shared with anyone who was in need.
She welcomed everyone into her home, regardless of background, ethnicity or spiritual persuasion. You never knew who would be sleeping on a pallet in the front room in the morning, or how many new faces with whom you would share the holiday table. She loved with passion and true commitment. She loved without regard to others’ worth and ability to love back.
She was a confidante and friend to an endless number of United Methodist Youth Fellowship kids at the church who ate her cooking and called her “friend.”
In addition to the deaths of her two husbands, she lost two sons, Grady in 2008 and Lyle in 2010.
Survivors include her children, Faye (Elder) and husband Marvin Clements of La Cygne, Kan.; Carol (Elder) and husband Richard Doran Jr. of Harlan, Iowa, Paula Lynn (Elder) and husband Clayton Anderson of Birch Tree, Mo., Bryan Elder and wife Pam of Yukon, Okla.; daughter-in-law Linda Elder of La Cygne, Kan.; 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; cousins; extended family and friends.
She touched everyone she met; she continues to give to others in death. At a future date, a memorial service will be held in Harlan, Iowa where she resided for the last nine years of her life. Burial will be in Bennington, Kan., next to Frank.
Donations may be made to the Saline County, Kansas 4-H Foundation, gifts to be used for scholarships to 4-H Camp in Rock Springs, Kan.
Michael P. Jones
Managing Partner

OBITUARIES

Robert James “Bobby” Shoemaker ~ 07-18-1960 to 01-12-2025

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  Linn County News Published January 22, 2025   Robert James "Bobby" Shoemaker, age 64, Prescott, Kan., passed away Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. He was born on July 18, 1960, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of James and Betty Brown Shoemaker. He was a... [More]

William Lee Viner ~ 06-04-1964 to 01-12-2025

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Linn County News Published January 15, 2025   William Lee Viner “Lee”, age 60 of La Cygne, Kan., passed away on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025.  Lee was born the son of William George, Jr., and Janice Lacey Viner in Great Bend, Kan., on June 4, 1964. He was... [More]

Jacob Thomas “Jake” Hays ~ 04-13-1990 to 01-09-2025

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Linn County News Published January 15, 2025   Jacob Thomas “Jake” Hays, age 34, Concord, Okla., formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.  He was born on April 13, 1990, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of Thomas and Jody Purinton... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

County Clerk David Lamb tenders official resignation

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Convention scheduled Feb. 2   Linn County Clerk David Lamb tendered his official resignation to Governor Laura Kelly Jan. 13, effective Jan. 31, 2025.  Lamb’s letter stated, “Please accept this letter as my formal resignation from the office of Linn... [More]

Commissioners hear from mayor regarding compactor site

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During the meeting of the Linn County Commissioners on Monday, Jan. 13, the board of commissioners heard from Pleasanton Mayor Mathew Young in regards to the county decision during the Jan. 6 meeting to pull all compactor equipment out of Pleasanton if the city does not sign... [More]

Equipment fire temporarily closes Mound City retailer

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Linn County Rural Fire personnel responded to an equipment fire that occurred at the Mound City Dollar General Store on the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 8. According to Linn County Rural Fire Chief Randy Hegwald the fire response required to contain and extinguish the fire... [More]

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SPORTS

Prairie View boys’ varsity wrestling places seventh at Louisburg

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The Prairie View boys’ varsity wrestling team traveled to Louisburg on Jan. 11 to compete in the Louisburg Invitational. The Buffalos placed seventh out of 14 teams with a score of 99.5. Louisburg won the tournament with a score of 216. Ryan Nickell, 106, placed fifth... [More]

Jayhawk boys’ varsity wrestling competes at Louisburg

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The Jayhawk Linn boys’ varsity wrestling team traveled to Louisburg on Jan. 11 to compete in the Louisburg Invitational. The Hawks placed 10th out of 14 teams with 67 team points. Landon Higgins, 113, placed second and scored 24 team points. Higgins was 3-1 with a bye... [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.
• Full obituaries submitted by individuals are required to be paid in advance.
• 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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