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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

Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025

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Linn County News Published June 4, 2025   Gary Ray Johnson, age 90 of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away on May 28, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Kan. Visitation... [More]

Rees Lyle Shattuck ~ 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Rees Lyle Shattuck, age 93, Prescott, Kan., passed away Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on Aug. 31, 1931, in Boicourt, Kan., the son of Rees Wilbur and Lulu Elizabeth Black Shattuck. He served his country in the United... [More]

Wayne Eldon Long ~ 07-03-1942 to 05-24-2025

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Linn County News Published May 28, 2025   Wayne Eldon Long, age 82, of Parker, Kan., passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Wayne was born on July 3, 1942, in Garnett, Kan., the son of Homer Leon and Margaret Ethel (Collins) Long. He was one of three children and... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

SPECIAL: Commission to vote Monday on Parker Center lease

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Linn County commissioners plan to vote at their weekly 9 a.m. meeting next Monday, June 2, on a 99-year lease agreement with Parker and their Senior Center building. At Tuesday's weekly Commission meeting, delayed by a day because of Monday's federal Memorial Day observance,... [More]

Despite Chamber loss, Blast in the Park fireworks will go off

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Council actions include split vote on deed conveyance   Hearing of the disbandment of its local Chamber of Commerce, La Cygne leaders have verbally concurred that the city’s part in the annual Blast in the Park festivities will go on. Following that Chamber notification... [More]

Linn Valley discusses city hall funding sources

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The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present.    Donelson informed the council of two potential opportunities for funding a new City Hall building. ... [More]

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SPORTS

Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State

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The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to West Franklin on May 22 to compete in the 3A Regional. As a team the girls placed 10th with a score of 22.5 points while the boys were fifth with 56 points. This year the top three places in each event qualify for the State meet then... [More]

School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka

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The Pleasanton track team traveled to Eureka on May 22 for a 2A Regional track meet. This year the top three places advance to the State meet along the top four times/distances not from the top three from all other Regionals. This year the Jays qualified eight athletes in seven... [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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