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
John Clayton Bowman ~ 02-01-1944 to 08-17-2025

Linn County News Published August 20, 2025 John Clayton Bowman, age 81, Parker, Kan., passed away Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. He was born on Feb. 1, 1944, in Goodrich, Kan., the son of John Thomas “Tom” Bowman and Carrie Theodoshia Shafer Bowman. John attended... [More]
Arnold Joseph Lickteig ~ 05-16-1931 to 07-31-2025

Linn County News Published August 6, 2025 Arnold Joseph Lickteig, age 94, formerly of Greeley, Kan., passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Colonial Oaks Senior Living at Spring Hill in Spring Hill, Kan. Arnie was born on May 16, 1931, on a farm east of Greeley,... [More]
Joe W. Mann ~ 09-02-1951 to 07-26-2025

Linn County News Published July 30, 2025 Joe W. Mann, age 73 of La Cygne, Kan., passed away at his home on Saturday, July 26, 2025. There are no services scheduled at this time. Contributions are suggested to the Schneider Funeral Home and may be sent... [More]
More Obituaries
- Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025
- Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025
- Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- 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
NEWS
Economic Development Director resigns

Cites lack of professionalism and respect in leadership During the public comment portion of the commissioners meeting on Aug. 18, Economic Development Director Chasity Ware took the podium and read a letter to the commissioners that began by noting that she had lived... [More]
Pleasanton moves forward with streets plan

The Pleasanton City Council met Monday night and listened to a presentation by Streets Supervisor Taylor Robinson who presented a plan on how to move forward to get all city streets redone next spring and summer. Robinson said she met with Linn County Public Works Superintendent... [More]
USD 344 adopts new cell phone policy

During the August meeting, which was moved to Tuesday, Aug. 12, the USD 344 Board of Education adopted a new cell phone policy as recommended by the Kansas Association of School Boards and Kansas State Department of Education. The new policy prompted several questions from... [More]
More News
- Pleasanton Fire Chief lays out short, long-term goals
- Commissioners hear from publisher in regards to special edition
- Parker again to seek officer apps
- La Cygne leaders discuss food truck issue
- Commissioners make statement in regards to grievance filed
- Prescott appoints Roberts interim mayor
- Former Osborne house destroyed in fire
- Commission hears from former employee regarding tower resolution
SPORTS
Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’

It’s another one of those…So…stories. So, last weekend was an adventure. I’ve gotten involved with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Wild Foods Academy (WFA) that is a pilot program designed to educate many ‘left-0ut’ people’s... [More]
Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair

The annual Linn County Fair and Rodeo Fishing Derby was held on the morning of Aug. 9. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks fish biologist Don George has been heading the derby since 1987 and this year was no different. The derby was divided into three age... [More]
Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull

The Linn County Farm Bureau Association hosted the annual kids’ pedal pull on the evening of Aug. 8. Kids 4 to 12 can compete in the event for a chance to earn a spot at the State pedal pull at Hutchinson. Trophies and a place at the State fair was awarded to the... [More]
More Sports
- From the Bleachers – 717
- Annual demo derby kicks off this year’s Linn County Fair and Rodeo
- From the Bleachers - 719
- Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship
- Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest
- PV Cheer has strong performances at UCA Summer Camp 2025
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
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
