Rosetta Mae Kendall was born in Prescott, Kan. Rosetta was the youngest of three children born to Theron William Kendall and Pearl Victoria Wallace Kendall.
Growing up, Rosetta was quite the tomboy, preferring to play outside with her older brother and his friends instead of being in the house and learning to sew, knit, and crochet. This drove her maternal grandmother pretty crazy, who frequently complained that Rose should get inside and learn those skills like her older sister did. Rosetta’s life was forever changed when her father, a line master for the railroad, was killed by a drunk driver while crossing a street when Rosetta was 16 years old.
In 1948, Rosetta and her husband, Omer Leon Hawthorn, were blessed with the birth of their first daughter, Rosetta Lee, while stationed in El Paso, Texas. Daughter Vicky was born while the family was stationed at Camp Parks, Calif., and Gloria was born a year later while they were stationed at Clark AFB in the Philippines. In 195,8 the family was stationed back stateside to Travis AFB.
Rosetta raised her three girls on her own after divorcing in 1960. She always referred to the girls as “my girls.” Rose was very proud of the fact that she had the courage to leave an abusive marriage in a time when people didn’t get divorced. She worked multiple jobs but always had a home-cooked meal on the table. Rose worked long and hard and earned the affectionate nickname “Tiger.” Our Mom taught us the value of hard work, good manners, and honesty. Mom was also an excellent cook and she could bake like nobody’s business.
In 1969, she married the love of her life, Gary Person. Gary became Dad to Rose’s girls, and for 45 years they shared a life which grew to include new generations of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rosetta leaves behind to cherish her memory three daughters, Rosetta Lee Hawthorn, and Vicky (Jim) Wright, of Fairfield, Calif., and Gloria Hartley of American Canyon, Calif.; five grandchildren, Richard (Dawna) Matthes of Fairfield, Calif., Kendall (Stephen) Mainzer of State College, Pa., John Brandon Gutierrez of San Francisco, Calif., Jimmy Wright and William Wright of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; and two great-grandchildren, Renae Matthes and Sebastian Mainzer.
Rosetta was preceded in death by her husband Gary Person; her sister, Pauline Kendall Cook; her brother, Eugene Kendall; her parents, Theron and Pearl Kendall; and step-father, Oral Hampton.
Arrangements are under the care of Bryan-Braker Funeral Home, Fairfield, Calif., (707) 425-4697. You may sign the guest book at www.bryanbraker.com.
OBITUARIES
Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

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]
Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Helen Maxine Wright, age 86, formerly of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away at her home in Abbyville, Kan., on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Community... [More]
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]
More Obituaries
- 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
- 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
NEWS
SPECIAL: Benefits question an issue for county employees

By BARBARA PROFFITT Linn County News linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com A poll sent to Linn County employees mid-week asking which benefit they would prefer to lose has created a spark of animosity among those who received it. One person... [More]
Commissioners discuss various budgets

SEKMHC in mix At the end of a meeting attended by two of the three commissioners, a discussion was held regarding several of the proposed budgets for next year. Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jim Johnson first discussed the proposed budget for Southeast Kansas Mental Health.... [More]
City learns of fire gear condition

Pleasanton Fire Department ISO inspection July 16 Following the appointment of new Fire Chief Jimmy Watts as Pleasanton Fire Chief, the Pleasanton Council heard of the condition of bunker gear Monday night at their bi-weekly meeting. Watts reported the truck ran with the... [More]
More News
- La Cygne leaders discuss food truck follow-up
- special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case
- SPECIA;: Schmidt Votes to Cancel Massive Tax Hike, Secure Border, and Lower Federal Spending
- NOTICE:
- Pleasanton awarded $617,000 KDOT street grant
- Commissioners discuss development zoning appeals
- Questions on employee emails leads to lengthy discussion
- NOTICE:
SPORTS
Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament

The team called Nobodys wins the Blue Mound 4th of July co-ed softball tournament on July 5. This year the tournament consisted of eight teams. The Nobodys is Keith Morrell’s team and has been a part of the softball tournament since it started three years ago.
Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship

The Pleasanton 12-14 baseball team wins their league tournament on June 30 to July 1. Pleasanton hosted the tournament and won in the championship against La Cygne 11-7.
More Sports
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- 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
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

