Linn County News
Published March 13, 2024
Robert William Harper,Jr., age 76, of LaCygne, Kan., passed away Saturday Feb. 24, 2024, at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka, Kan.
Bob was born July 14, 1947, in Louisburg, Kan. He was the eldest of seven children born to Robert William, Sr., and Esther Marie (Reeves) Harper. Bob grew up in Louisburg and graduated with the Louisburg High School.
Right after school, Bob enlisted into the United States Navy. He served his country for six years. Bob was honorably discharged in 1973. After getting out of the military, Bob worked a number of different jobs. He made cans and camper tops, drove a truck for the USPS, he was a meat cutter at Safeway, and worked at IBP. Bob worked at Vintage Park in Paola as a cook. At the same time, he worked at the Osawatomie State Hospital in the janitorial department where he retired.
On Feb. 14, 1986, Bob and Jamie Martin were united in marriage in Paola, Kan. They made their home in Miami and Linn County.
Bob enjoyed fishing, watching birds, playing cards and taking pictures. He planted a garden and had a green thumb. In his younger years, Bob hunted, tinkered in the garage and made wooden picture frames. Family was number one to Bob. He loved them all dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Jamie Harper of the home, children; Jonathan(Tanya) Martin of Topeka,Kan., and Sarah ((Wayne) Culbertson of Topeka,Kan.; his siblings; Sam Harper, David Harper, Lee Harper, Kevin Harper, Danny Harper and Sherry Harper. Also surviving are thirteen grandchildren and one on the way; Aaron Davis, Emily Davis, Alexander Martin, Sophia Martin, Nyree Wells, Patricia Rightmire, Morgan Martin, Abby Martin, Tyr Martin, William Nickelson-Martin, Aibel Nickelson-Martin, Elizabeth Martin-Harper and Eddie Swarthout, Jr. and other family and friends.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 1 p.m. Louisburg Cemetery in Louisburg, KS. Arrangements by Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home, Osawatomie, Kan.
OBITUARIES
Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Kelly Kehl, age 87, of Mound City, Kan., passed away Saturday, June 28, 2025, at his rural Mound City home. Kelly was born March 25, 1938, south of Parker, Kan., to Keith (Tom) Emerson Kehl and Helen Edith (Giffin) Kehl. Kelly... [More]
Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Kandi Kay Cruse passed away on June 27, 2025, at the age of 67 after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on March 29, 1958, in Colorado Springs, Colo., Kandi’s zest for life and carefree spirit were evident from an early age. She... [More]
Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Jessica Cae Pritchett age 43 of Parker, Kan., died Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Eddy Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie, Kan. ... [More]
More Obituaries
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
- Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025
- Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025
- Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
- Windfred Allen DeMott ~ 09-15-1940 to 06-07-2025
- Maxine Breuel ~ 11-20-1926 to 06-07-2025
- Richard Paul Henderson ~ 07-26-1950 to 06-01-2025
NEWS
special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case

Case paves the way for states to continue to protect women and girl's athletic opportunities Topeka, Kan. July 3, 2025 - Today, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari in Hecox v. Little and West Va., v. BPJ. Rep.... [More]
SPECIA;: Schmidt Votes to Cancel Massive Tax Hike, Secure Border, and Lower Federal Spending

WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) issued the following statement regarding passage of the budget reconciliation bill by the U.S. House of Representatives, also called the “One Big Beautiful Bill”: “Last November,... [More]
NOTICE:

The Linn County News and Linn County Printing offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, in honor of the holiday.
More News
- Pleasanton awarded $617,000 KDOT street grant
- Commissioners discuss development zoning appeals
- Questions on employee emails leads to lengthy discussion
- NOTICE:
- Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners
- Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
SPORTS
Gratton at Nationals

Pleasanton’s Ashton Gratton qualifies for the Adidas Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina after winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes in the KSHSAA 2A State tournament in Wichita on May 31. The Adidas Nationals took place from June 20-22 and Gratton did well in both the... [More]
Summer Ball Tournaments

The Parker 8-11 baseball team 1 places first in their league tournament at La Cygne on June 28. See more photos on page B1 of this week's edition.
More Sports
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
OBITUARIES POLICY
• 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

