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
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.
• 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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