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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

Jackie “Jack” Howard Shroyer ~ 01-24-1940 to 09-04-2025

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  Linn County News Published September 10, 2025   Jackie "Jack" Howard Shroyer, age 85 of Prescott, Kan., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. Jack was born the son of Eugene and Lillie Ruth (Blangy) Shroyer on Jan. 24, 1940, in Prescott, Kan. He... [More]

Wallace “Mack” Probasco ~ 07-05-1959 to 09-02-2025

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Linn County News Published September 10, 2025   Wallace “Mack” Probasco, age 66 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away at his home on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. He was born the son of Francis Mack and Edna E. Wallace Probasco on July 5, 1959, in Fort Scott,... [More]

Martha F. Couch ~ 01-03-1929 to 07-18-2025

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Linn County News Published September 10, 2025   It is with much sorrow that the family of Martha Frasier Couch, a woman of deep faith and compassion, shares the news that she passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025, just months after the passing of her husband, Keith,... [More]

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NEWS

Property taxes and how they work

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In Kansas, there is a definitive process for determining what the property taxes are on any given piece of property. Did you know that according to SmartAsset.com Linn County has the second lowest property tax average in the entire state? According to information available... [More]

Pleasanton Fire Department personnel hiring questioned

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What started out as a department update from Pleasanton Fire Chief Jeff Wisdom, turned into a showdown between councilmembers and the mayor in who was hired as volunteer firefighters in Pleasanton. Wisdom informed the council he was beginning training for new firefighters September... [More]

Commission ‘bares’ down to pass public nudity ban

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Linn County commissioners passed a resolution banning public nudity at its Sept. 2 weekly meeting, delayed a day for the governmental Labor Day holiday. Resolution No. 2025-16, enacted on a 2-0 vote with Alison Hamilton not present, forbids nudity on public property or outside... [More]

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SPORTS

Alvarez leads Pleasanton cross country

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The Pleasanton cross country team traveled to Garnett for their first meet of the year on Sept. 4 at the Annual Jerry Howarter Invitational. The Jays had runners in both the junior high and high school races.  Dominic Alvarez led the Hawks as he earned a medal and placed... [More]

Jayhawk football starts season with shutout over Central Heights

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The Jayhawk Linn football team traveled to Fort Scott on Sept. 5 to host the Central Heights Vikings for their first game of the season. This was supposed to be a home game for the Hawks but had to be played at Fort Scott because the field was not ready. The game began with... [More]

Spradling era kicks off with oohhs and 'Oz'

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Jason Spradling's head coaching era at Prairie View debuted with plenty of oohhs and 'Oz' Friday night. The oohhs came from an offensive running attack that amassed 612 rushing yards, all but 99 in the first half, and saw Buffalo four-year starters Parker Schwarz gain 287 yards... [More]

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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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