Jean passed away peacefully at her home on June 20 at the age of 89. She was born Oct. 26, 1926, to Willie and Ethel Lindsey at their home in Miami County. 

She is survived by her children, Vaughn Allen (wife Nancy) of Western Springs, Ill., Jim Allen of Pleasanton, Kan., Mitzi Allen Coe (husband Patrick) of Warrenville, Ill., and Cheri Allen Dunlop (husband Chuck) of Parker, Kan., and daughter-in-law, Brenda Allen of Paola, Kan. Jean and Ward had 20 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ward; son Bill; and brothers Jack, Vaughn and Glen Lindsey. 

She was engaged in farming first with her parents and later with Ward. She and Ward managed a Purina feed store (Farmers Produce) from 1946 to 1960 and a Massey Ferguson dealership in the early ‘60s. In addition, she took several other jobs to help take care of the family. 

Later in life, she and Ward enjoyed meeting new friends in camping clubs and joining them for outings throughout the Midwest.

Jean was a dedicated and spirited community member. She and Ward organized and opened the La Cygne Senior Center in 1979. It was a place for people over 50 to coalesce over card games, food or just simple conversation. In addition, she was a member of many groups including the La Cygne Park Board, the Township Board and the Historical Society. She served as co-founder of the La Cygne Nutrition Center and president of the Over-50 Club.

Though Jean enjoyed area churches and visited all regularly, she was baptized at the Calvary Baptist Church and in her early years at the Jingo Methodist Church. “Preach the gospel at all times; use words if necessary” are words of Francis of Assisi. Jean didn’t use words much to describe her Christian life, but no one demonstrated a more giving life than Jean. She did this through generous care to others. She was available almost literally to anyone … anytime for anything – a drive to doctor, a trip to a family member or lunch at McDonald’s. She was particularly sensitive to the elderly. There are few people in La Cygne and surrounding areas who don’t have a story about Jean’s extraordinary assistance at some point in their life. She loved and enjoyed her family - immediate, in-laws, distant … it didn’t matter to her. Once you were in her circle, you were there for life. 

In her teen years, she had a disagreement with her mother. She didn’t want to go to school. Like any caring parent, her mother asked, “What do you think you will do with your life without school?” Jean said, “I’ll be a truck driver.” And though this probably seemed flippant at the time, during her life, Jean “trucked” more people more places than anyone. 

She served as grand marshal of the 2010 Fiesta of La Cygne and won the best community volunteer award in 2014 in recognition of her service to others. 

Jean loved to tell funny stories, laugh and sing. She will be sorely missed by family, friends and people county-wide.

 

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2016, at the Calvary Baptist Church. Services will be held on Monday, June 27, at 10 a.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church, La Cygne. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Calvary Baptist Church of La Cygne or the Catholic Community Hospice, https://www.catholiccharitiesks.org/hospice. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel.

OBITUARIES

Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025

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Linn County News Published July 2, 2025   Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith passed away Saturday June 7, 2025, at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan.  She was born on Nov. 19, 1935, in Topeka, Kan., to Neil and Gladys (Goldsmith)... [More]

Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025

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Linn County News Published July 2, 2025   Ron Arbogast, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78. Born Aug. 31, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kan.,... [More]

Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025

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Linn County News Published June 25, 2025   Richard "Dick" Smith, age 83, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in Olathe, Kan., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Pleasanton Cemetery. Contributions... [More]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

NOTICE:

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Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd. 

Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

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Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private   The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]

Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

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On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]

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SPORTS

Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

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The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]

Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

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Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [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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