Reta N. (Boyd) Kennedy, 88, of Prairie Village, Kan., died Sunday, June 14, 2015.
Reta was born Feb. 23, 1927, to William S. and Hallie J. (French) Boyd in rural Crawford County near Hepler, Kan., following her twin sister Rema by just a few hours. She graduated from Hepler High School in 1944, and that fall, began teaching in a one-room school house, starting a career that would span nearly 50 years. Reta taught school and took classes during the summer, earning her teaching degree from Pittsburg State University in 1953.
Following graduation, she moved to Kansas City, Kan. She taught at elementary schools in Johnson and Wyandotte counties including Prairie, Porter, Junction, and Oak Grove. She also founded and operated Pixie Pre-School at the First Baptist Church of Turner while her children were young. She retired in 1990.
Reta was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the Turner Fortnightly Club and the Retired Teachers Association of Wyandotte County. At Grinter Chapel, she was active with the United Methodist Women, the Laura Dell Circle and supporting Cancer Action.
Reta joined the Oxford Fellowship group in the early 1950s, where she met her future husband, Kenneth M. Kennedy Jr. They were married Sept. 3, 1960. In 1961, they moved to the Turner neighborhood of KCK where they raised two children, and enjoyed gardening and traveling together for many years. Reta truly enjoyed the company of family, and found joy in hosting large holiday gatherings. She also enjoyed sewing and crafting with many projects simultaneously in progress.
She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth, and sisters Thora Byers, Neva Coester and Rema Dalton. She is survived by her children Gayle K. Callahan (Mike), Prairie Village, Kan., Warren B. Kennedy (Gisela), Bonner Springs, Kan.; and three grandchildren, Connor Callahan, Cameron Kennedy, and Brianne Kennedy. The family would like to thank Brighton Gardens and Crossroads Hospice for the special care Reta received.
Visitation will be from 9 - 10 a.m., with funeral following at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, at Porter Funeral Home, 1835 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, KS 66102. Burial will be in Pleasanton, Kan. on Wednesday, June 17 at 1:30 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Grinter Chapel United Methodist Church, Kansas City, Kan., where she was a member for over 50 years.
Condolences may be expressed at www.porterfuneralhome.com . Arrangements: Porter Funeral Home & Crematory, 1835 Minnesota Ave. Kansas City, KS (913) 621-6400.
OBITUARIES
John Clayton Bowman ~ 02-01-1944 to 08-17-2025

Linn County News Published August 20, 2025 John Clayton Bowman, age 81, Parker, Kan., passed away Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. He was born on Feb. 1, 1944, in Goodrich, Kan., the son of John Thomas “Tom” Bowman and Carrie Theodoshia Shafer Bowman. John attended... [More]
Arnold Joseph Lickteig ~ 05-16-1931 to 07-31-2025

Linn County News Published August 6, 2025 Arnold Joseph Lickteig, age 94, formerly of Greeley, Kan., passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Colonial Oaks Senior Living at Spring Hill in Spring Hill, Kan. Arnie was born on May 16, 1931, on a farm east of Greeley,... [More]
Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025

Linn County News Published July 30, 2025 Joe W. Mann, age 73 of La Cygne, Kan., passed away at his home on Saturday, July 26, 2025. There are no services scheduled at this time. Contributions are suggested to the Schneider Funeral Home and may be sent... [More]
More Obituaries
- Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025
- Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025
- Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
NEWS
Economic Development Director resigns

Cites lack of professionalism and respect in leadership During the public comment portion of the commissioners meeting on Aug. 18, Economic Development Director Chasity Ware took the podium and read a letter to the commissioners that began by noting that she had lived... [More]
Pleasanton moves forward with streets plan

The Pleasanton City Council met Monday night and listened to a presentation by Streets Supervisor Taylor Robinson who presented a plan on how to move forward to get all city streets redone next spring and summer. Robinson said she met with Linn County Public Works Superintendent... [More]
USD 344 adopts new cell phone policy

During the August meeting, which was moved to Tuesday, Aug. 12, the USD 344 Board of Education adopted a new cell phone policy as recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards and Kansas State Department of Education. The new policy prompted several questions from... [More]
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SPORTS
Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’

It’s another one of those…So…stories. So, last weekend was an adventure. I’ve gotten involved with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Wild Foods Academy (WFA) that is a pilot program designed to educate many ‘left-0ut’ people’s... [More]
Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair

The annual Linn County Fair and Rodeo Fishing Derby was held on the morning of Aug. 9. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks fish biologist Don George has been heading the derby since 1987 and this year was no different. The derby was divided into three age... [More]
Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull

The Linn County Farm Bureau Association hosted the annual kids’ pedal pull on the evening of Aug. 8. Kids 4 to 12 can compete in the event for a chance to earn a spot at the State pedal pull at Hutchinson. Trophies and a place at the State fair was awarded to the... [More]
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- From the Bleachers – 717
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- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
- Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest
- PV Cheer has strong performances at UCA Summer Camp 2025
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
