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Rita Anne Wilson, 68, of Osawatomie, Kan., died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, at Miami County Medical Center of Paola, Kan. Rita was born in Beagle, Kan., April 11, 1946, to James and Elsie (Loch) Wilson. Rita is the second of four children. When she was born (prematurely, and weighing only about four pounds while wrapped in a heavy blanket and measured on her grandpa’s fishing scales—and we all know fishing scales weigh heavy), the doctor did not believe that she would live more than a few years at best. As a child, Rita attended Special Education classes at Parker Elementary School in Parker, Kan., for a very short time.
In January 1952, Rita went to Parsons State Hospital & Training Center where she remained until June 1961. At this time, Rita moved back home with her family in Parker, Kan. In 1975, Rita began attending Tri-Ko, Inc.’s Work Activity Center, while she remained living with her family. She worked untiringly in the sheltered workshop that her parents were instrumental in starting which now serves a three-county area. Rita continued to attend Tri-Ko, Inc.’s WAC until 1989, when she was discharged from the program, at the request of her parents. In 1993, Rita was readmitted into Work Activity Center.
She refused to retire when she became eligible, because she loved going to work. On March 25, 2000, Rita moved from her family home in Garnett, Kan., into the Garnett Group Home. After her parents moved to Vintage Park in Osawatomie, Rita moved to Osawatomie to continue to be near her parents.
Although she was what used to be called “profoundly retarded,” she touched so many lives. She cared deeply for her family and friends. Her speech was intelligible only to those who knew her well. She had a smile for just about everyone she met. She gave the best hugs and no one could leave without getting one. For many, many years she was the “acolyte” for the First United Methodist Church in Parker, Kan. Rita took great pride in being the one to light the candles on the altar. Rita’s love for Elvis was deep. She was always excited when she bought a new pair of shoes and would show them off. Rita was the biggest advocate in showing off the new babies in the family. Her latest love was watching Nascar Racing and she often called her brother to share the excitement. She will be missed by her family as well as everyone who ever met her. She was one of God’s very special angels on this earth, and now she has her wings for real.
Rita was preceded in death by her father and one sister, Marsha Gae Wilson.
She is survived by her mother ,Elsie Wilson, of Garnett, Kan.; one sister, Carolyn (Charles) Dunlop of Parker, Kan.; one brother, James H. (Linda) Wilson Jr., of Grove, Okla.; and many other family and friends.
Services were held Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church, Parker, Kan., with burial at the Parker Cemetery. Memorials may be made to: Tri-Ko or First United Methodist Church of Parker and may be sent in care of Eddy Birchard Funeral Home P.O. Box 430, Osawatomie, KS 66064. Condolences may be left at www.eddybirchard.com.

OBITUARIES

Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025

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Linn County News Published July 23, 2025   Jean Driskell, age 82, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, July 18, 2025.   Memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation... [More]

Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

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Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]

Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

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Linn County News Published July 16, 2025   Ruth Ann Antrim, formerly Hueston, passed away July 7, 2025, after bravely battling cancer for many years. Ruth Ann was 74 years old. She lived and worked in the Mound City and Fort Scott, Kan., areas her... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County

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A Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) resurfacing project on U.S. 69 in Linn County will begin the week of July 28. The project will resurface U.S. 69 with ultrathin bonded asphalt for just over 7 miles from Pleasanton to just north of... [More]

Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion

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The majority of heated discussion came at the end of the Pleasanton City Council meeting Monday night during council discussion when Council people Bill Skipper and Angelina Randall squared off concerning the recent ISO inspection that occurred at the fire department. Skipper... [More]

La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral

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Ad valorem revenue will decrease by almost $16,600, levy by over 7.6 mills   The city of La Cygne will not only be revenue neutral but actually below neutral on its 2026 municipal budget. That was the report from Jodi Wade, city clerk, at last Wednesday’s regular... [More]

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SPORTS

Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

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Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]

Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

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The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.

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• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
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• 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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