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Vannie Hugh (Van) Michael was born Oct. 16, 1938, to parents, Oscar Arthur and Leta Barton Michael, in Sickles, Caddo County, Okla. He passed away in Seton Highland Lakes Hospital after a tragic accident at his home in Burnet (Silver Creek) on Aug. 17, 2015.
His family lived in rural Colorado (near the little community of Kim), where, as a young man, he trained horses for many of the local ranchers. He was baptized into the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on June 25, 1950. After his parents were divorced in 1950, he lived with his loving grandparents, Vannie and Ivy Michael, in Pritchett, Colo., until he graduated from high school.
During Van’s life, he was always a cowboy at heart – having started on the rodeo circuit at the age of 13. He went on to pursue his dream and became a professional bronc rider reaching national finals and winning many trophies, saddles and belt buckles throughout the years.
He was a welder and did pipeline work all over the U.S. and Canada from 1967 to 2013. He was also a lowboy driver and hauled heavy equipment cross-country. He owned and operated many drilling companies and bought, refurbished and sold drilling equipment in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Local 234 Union, Des Moines, Iowa, and a member of Teamsters Local 150, Sacramento, Calif.
Van is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lee Michael, whom he married on Dec. 11, 2009; his son, Derek Van Michael of Burnet; and daughter, Danielle Michael of Kansas; four grandsons, his namesake Van Arthur Michael, Dalton Karr; Gavin Tice and Jarren Lewis; one granddaughter, Jacey Lewis; a stepdaughter, Lisa Tice; a stepson, Ed Lewis; two sisters, Virginia Michael Owens of Burnet, and Debbie Rochester and husband Johnny Rochester of Burnet; and sister-in-law Dolores Michael of Burnet; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of life-long friends and acquaintances.
Van was predeceased by his loving grandparents who raised him; both parents; his son Joe Michael; three brothers, Robert L. Michael Sr., A. J. Michael and William Michael; a sister, Fern Michael Smith; two stepchildren, Tina Lewis and Jason Lewis; a nephew, Dennis Michael; and a niece, Deena Michael.
Funeral services were at the funeral home chapel on Friday, Aug. 21, with burial following at Post Mountain Cemetery in Burnet, Texas.
Funeral arrangements made by Edgar & Jenkins Family Funeral Home, 109 North Main Street, Burnet, Texas 78611 (512) 756-4444.

OBITUARIES

Frederick John “Fritz” Johanning, Jr. ~ 08-10-1948 to 03-26-2024

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Linn County News Published April 3, 2024   Frederick John "Fritz" Johanning, Jr., age 75, of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City... [More]

Doris Maxine Basore ~ 01-02-1920 to 03-10-2024

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Linn County News Published March 13, 2024   Doris Maxine Basore, age 104, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Monday, March 10, 2024. She was born in Bates County, Mo., on Jan. 2, 1920, the daughter of Ray and Verna Chapman Lacy. She graduated from Rich Hill High School... [More]

Janice (Good) Waltmire ~ 08-20-1937 to 03-09-2024

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Linn County News Published March 13, 2024   Janice (Good) Waltmire, age 86, of Overland Park, Kan., passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, March 9, 2024. She was born the youngest of four children in Mound City, Kan., on Aug. 20, 1937, to the late Ralph... [More]

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USD 362 to return to onsite food service

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Agriculture leading economic contributor for Linn County

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Agriculture touches the lives of everyone in Linn County, whether you are a producer or a consumer, providing a direct or indirect impact of over $170 million to our county in 2023.  Farming and beef cattle ranching, including feedlots and dual-purpose farming and ranching... [More]

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SPORTS

Prairie View brings home two State titles in powerlifting championship

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The Prairie View powerlifting team traveled to Santa Fe Trail on March 23 for the 3A State Powerlifting Meet. The Buffalos did very well at the meet with seven lifters placing in the top three and Prairie View placing second overall as a team. “We came up 11 points short... [More]

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The Jayhawk Linn softball team hosted Prairie View in their season opener on March 19. The Lady Hawks played a double-header and lost both games to the Lady Buffs 5-15 and 13-15. The first game saw the Buffalos take a 6-3 after three innings. After this, Prairie View outscored... [More]

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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

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