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
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
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
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]
More Obituaries
- David Leslie Nation ~ 02-14-1968 to 01-12-2025
- Karen Marie Hargrove MacDonald Webb ~ 02-19-1954 to 01-05-2025
- Eleanor Eileen Reynolds ~ 12-16-1927 to 01-04-2025
- Marjorie Ann Kneisel ~ 01-21-1936 to 12-28-2024
- Joseph W. Wilkes ~ 10-15-1961 to 01-07-2025
- Bonnie Lou (Wilson) Smith ~ 10-16-1928 to 01-01-2025
- Donald Lee Stark ~ 05-03-1934 to 12-29-2024
- Edward E. Owen ~ 08-09-1957 to 12-31-2024
NEWS
County Clerk David Lamb tenders official resignation
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
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
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]
More News
- Commissioners vote to remove trash service from Pleasanton unless city signs agreement
- Commissioners learn of taxing options on leased properties
- Pleasanton Council tables water rate change
- La Cygne leaders talk property, kennel
- Pleasanton discusses changing how water is billed
- La Cygne leaders wrap up 2024
- Commissioners discuss landfill projects
- Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Blue Mound, Linn County
SPORTS
Prairie View boys’ varsity wrestling places seventh at Louisburg
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
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]
More Sports
- Jayhawk Wrestling Champions
- Prairie View boys’ and girls’ basketball face league foes Santa Fe Trail and Iola
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball earn wins at Miami
- Jayhawk girls’ wrestling competes at ACCHS Girls Invitational
- Jayhawk Linn girls’ basketball wins Linn County Tournament
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball places second at Linn County Tournament
- Prairie View girls’ basketball places second at Linn County Tournament
- Prairie View varsity girls’ wrestling compete at Spring Hill
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com