Linn County News
Published Sept. 1, 2021
Ralph Dugan Cowan died Aug. 23, 2021. Ralph was born March 18, 1936, in Kansas City, Kan. He graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1954. That is where he met the love of his life, Deverl Simpson.
Ralph married Dee on March 9, 1957. Their marriage lasted 61 years, ending with Dee’s death in 2018.
Ralph ran track at Northwest Junior High and Wyandotte. He held Wyandotte’s 100-yard low hurdle record, receiving the A.W. Allen Trophy, and was Kansas City, Kan., City Champion.
He would go on to create the Kansas City region Junior Olympics program.
Ralph became interested in motor racing when he was young and on weekends drove midgets throughout the Midwest for almost 20 years, while he worked to support his growing family during the week. He held an IMCA record at Olympic Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
Ralph moved the family from Kansas City, Kan., in 1966 to Leawood, Kan., where they lived until moving to the La Cygne area, where they built a house in 1983.
Ralph was a third generation florist and worked in the family shop. He later owned his own shops as well as an executive floral service. He sold real estate and had many sales jobs throughout his life. He spent many years self-employed as a manufacturer’s rep in the restaurant and hospitality industries. Dee handled the records and accompanied him on business trips. At the time of his death, he led Cowan Associates, manufacturer’s reps, a family business with his two sons.
When Ralph was 43, he started weight lifting along with his son, and proceeded to live a healthy lifestyle. He ate healthy and worked out three days a week with weights and jogging. For 15 years, including this year when he turned 85, Ralph had posing photos taken on his birthday. Every year he gave family members bound volumes with the pictures and inspirational comments and quotes. For the past 10 years he said each year would be the last, but the next year there would be a new book.
Ralph is survived by his four children, Cheryl Willis, Overland Park, Laura Kyle, Drexel, Mo., Ronald Cowan, La Cygne, and Michael Cowan, Overland Park; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Schneider Funeral Home. Family only service, burial in Brooklyn Cemetery.
OBITUARIES
Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites ~ 02-13-1941 to 03-26-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Donna Lee (Bishop) Stites, age 84, of Mound City, Kan., passed away peacefully in her sleep March 26, 2025, at the Olathe Medical Center, after an extended illness. Born on Feb. 13, 1941, the third child of Jacob and... [More]
Frank Scott DeRemus ~ 06-21-1967 to 03-04-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Frank Scott DeRemus age 57 of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at his home in Blue Mound. Scott was born June 21, 1967, in Olathe, Kan., to Frank Fox and Sharon K. (Chadwick) DeRemus. On August 11, 1994,... [More]
Douglas Eugene Joseph ~ 08-06-1964 to 03-16-2025

Linn County News Published April 2, 2025 Douglas Eugene Joseph, 60, of Fort Scott, Kan., died Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Mo. Doug was born on Aug. 6, 1964, in Pittsburg, Kan., to Jean Ann Jones. He graduated from high school... [More]
More Obituaries
- Linda Sue Tyson ~ 01-24-1942 to 03-21-2025
- Brent Ross Wheeler ~ July 27, 1956 – March 22, 2025
- Alice Walker ~ 09-03-1928 to 03-20-2025
- Colton James McCammon ~ 08-26-2003 to 03-15-2025
- Kenneth Lawrence Sloan ~ 01-24-1950 to 03-11-2025
- Lois Joan Streeter ~ 11-18-1931 to 03-05-2025
- Lila R. McCarty ~ 05-21-1938 to 03-08-2025
- Norma Jean Harvey ~ 09-26-1935 to 02-21-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: STATEHOUSE REPORTING BUDGET FOR MARCH 28, 2025

FETALPERSONHOOD – The House and Senate on Thursday passed a bill that will require child support for unborn fetuses from the date of conception as well as an income tax exemption. A conference committee report was presented for HB2062 before the... [More]
SPECIAL: U.S. 69 overlay project set to begin in Bourbon and Linn counties

Monday, March 31, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin resurfacing work on U.S. 69 in Bourbon and Linn counties. An overlay will be placed on the northbound lanes of U.S. 69, starting at the south U.S. 54 junction in Fort Scott and continuing... [More]
Commissioners learn of grant for planning phase on courthouse repairs

During the March 24 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners heard from Linn County Public Works Administrator Shaun West on a grant possibility for repair work to the courthouse. SEKRPC (SEK Regional Planning Commission) is willing to assist with the HPF (Historic Preservation... [More]
More News
- La Cygne accepts deed conveyance on split vote
- Commissioners hear from resident on subdivision meeting
- SPECIAL: K-52 resurfacing project will begin soon
- Linn Valley imposes moratorium on new water and sewer construction
- Wind and fire damage dots county
- County hears from Tanglewood residents during public comment
- Commissioners discuss new option for Devlin Road
- Board votes to extend Meik contract
SPORTS
2025 Boys’ Basketball All County team

The 2024-2025 high school boys’ basketball has concluded and it is time once again for the annual All County team. As usual choosing the team was tough as there were many good players this season and plenty more that showed steady progress through the season. As... [More]
2025 Girls’ Basketball All County team

High school girls’ basketball has concluded for the 2024-25 season and it’s time for the annual All County team. Like the boys’ team, and like most years, choosing players was tough. Plenty of girls from all three schools, Prairie View, Jayhawk Linn and Pleasanton,... [More]
More Sports
- A season in review: Jayhawk Linn wrestling
- A season in review: Prairie View wrestling
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball earns Sub-State runner-up
- Prairie View girls’ basketball ends season against Neodesha
- Case leads Prairie View girls’ wrestling with a second-place finish
- McCarty leads Lady Hawks with a fourth-place finish at State
- Blu-Jays win sub-state shootout
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling sends five to State
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

