Tracy Lee Kehl, age 59, of La Cygne, Kan., went to her heavenly home on May 8, 2016, at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Kansas City, Mo.
Tracy was born January 10, 1957, in Paola, Kan. She was the youngest of four children born to Dalton Gustav “Sam” and Doris Virginia (Stainbrook) Kehl. She grew up in the La Cygne area and attended Prairie View, graduating with the class of 1975. After high school, Tracy went to Neosho County Community College and earned an associate’s degree in computer programming.
Tracy married Al Staley of Paola and had one daughter Nicole. The marriage later ended in divorce. Later she married Lyle Williamson of Osawatomie. They moved to Chanute where they made their home. While in Chanute Lyle and Tracy raised Lyle’s son JR and daughter Brandie along with Tracy’s daughter Nicole. The marriage ended in divorce and Tracy moved back to the La Cygne area.
She worked for the Linn County Road and Bridge Department for a few years and then went to Miami County Road and Bridge and drove a maintainer.
Tracy loved all outdoor activities. When she was younger she enjoyed riding horses. In the spring she would start her garden and maintained it all summer. She raised emus while living in Chanute. Tracy loved animals of all kinds.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sister Ann Shulista; maternal grandparents Harrison and Bessie (Mendl) Stainbrook; and paternal grandparents Clarence and Jenny (Parks) Kehl.
Tracy is survived by daughter Nicole Roberts of Louisville, Ky.; brothers Larry (Loreta) Kehl of rural Parker, Kan., Allen (Cathy) Kehl of Russellville, Ark.; and one grandchild who was the love of her life Caleb Roberts; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Graveside service for Tracy will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21, 2016, at the Prairie Home Cemetery in La Cygne, Kan. Memorials to Prairie Paws Animal Shelter of Ottawa, Kan., and may be sent c/o Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home, P.O. Box 430, Osawatomie, KS 66064.
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]
More News
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
- Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges
- USD 346 board learns of overpayments
- 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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• 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

