Linn County News
Published Oct. 27, 2021
Thomas (Tom) Eugene Thompson passed away on Oct. 18, 2021, at the age of 94, in his daughter’s home in Overland Park, Kan. He was a tough man who had fought and beaten cancer several times throughout his life, but this latest bout would prove to be his last. He is now at peace.
Tom was born in Linn County, Kan., on Feb. 12, 1927, to Bill and Myrtle (Wilson) Thompson. He grew up as the sole child on the family farm. He graduated high school in 1945. Upon graduation, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served briefly during World War II.
After his Navy days, Tom attended Kansas State University and graduated in 1951 with a degree in electrical engineering. Shortly after, he started work in Michigan, where he would spend most of his working life, with time in New York and Alabama in between.
He married his first wife, Marilyn, in Michigan in 1954. Together they had one daughter, Julie, in 1955. After 23 years of marriage, Tom lost Marilyn to cancer in 1977.
Tom retired from his job at Bendix in 1977 and returned home to Kansas where he spent his days hunting, tinkering, spending time with the people he loved and enjoying nature.
Tom was married a second time to his wife Alice in 2005 in Hawaii.
Tom was a shining example of everything a man can be. He was a hard worker. He was humble. He was kind. He cared deeply for his family, friends and neighbors. He was always eager to help the people in his life in any way he could. He will be fondly remembered by all who were blessed to know him.
In his final days, he shared with his family his key to such a long and happy life. He told us “If there is a trick to long life, l think it might be eat what you like, drink what you like and be stubborn.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Myrtle; and his wife, Marilyn.
Tom is survived by his wife, Alice; daughter, Julie and her husband James; grandchildren, Brian and his wife Marianne, Megan and her husband Daniel, and Christine and her husband Trevon; and great-grandchildren, Ashton, Camden, Liam, Adeline, Charlie and Trevon.
A visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, 219 S. Oak, Garnett, Kan. A celebration of life will follow with food and drink at the Town Hall Center, 125 W. Fifth, Garnett.
In lieu of flowers, Tom and his family ask that you please consider donating on his behalf to the American Cancer Society. Donations may be made online, by phone or mailed. https://donate.cancer.org, 1-800-227-2345, American Cancer Society Donations, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73123.
You may send condolences to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
OBITUARIES
Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025

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

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

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]
More Obituaries
- 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
- Rees Lyle Shattuck 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025
- Dixie Bradley Wilkerson 10-15-1939 to 05-30-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
NEWS
NOTICE:

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

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

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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- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

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

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]
More Sports
- 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
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State
OBITUARIES POLICY
• May be mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered.
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

