Linn County News
Published Aug. 11, 2021
Verena Ruth Moore, born Verena Ruth Foster, died during the late evening of May 19, 2020, in Los Angeles, Calif. She was born on Aug. 12, 1938, in La Cygne, Kan., to George and Renoma Foster. She had been a resident of York Healthcare and Wellness Centre, not far from the home of her son, Wesly, for almost two years.
Verena’s early life was spent on her family’s farm outside La Cygne. She and her parents moved to town when she was still fairly young. Her father, George, became a minister, and the family moved around quite a bit, including time spent in Fort Worth, Texas, and Texhoma, Okla. Although Verena was an only child, when she was in eighth grade in Fort Worth she found herself a sister in a girl named Quilla. Over the years, the two kept in touch and grew ever closer. Even though their families moved apart, they would often visit each other, and eventually were roommates in college.
Verena studied English and Home Economics at Southwest Baptist University at Bolivar, Mo., and Oklahoma Baptist University at Shawnee, Okla. She became a school teacher, working mainly with elementary and middle school students. She was married in June of 1962 to Samuel A. Moore and the couple moved to Los Angeles, Calif. They adopted two children– Wesly, born in March 1966, and Melody, born in July 1969 – and later had a daughter by birth, Megan, born in February 1980.
A self-described “child of the Depression,” Verena was always and forever immensely practical. She was an accomplished seamstress, and often made clothing for herself and her family. She did everything she could over the years to keep her children from worry, even though this was not always obvious at the time. She never lost her positive outlook, no matter their circumstances, even later in life when health and mobility challenges complicated her life. One of her proudest accomplishments may have been a trip she took to Russia in the early 1990s, alongside other school teachers, after the collapse and dissolution of the Soviet Union. She raised her own funding through contributions and donations, telling others that she and her colleagues were “going to help Russian teachers learn how to teach” in the absence of a state-produced curriculum.
One of the highlights of Verena’s later years was a year-long visit with her lifelong dearest friend, Quilla, at Quilla’s home in Texas. The two renewed and refreshed their great friendship, together enjoying activities such as church services on Sundays, shopping and other outings, preparing and sharing meals, and puttering in Quilla’s garden. Quilla shared that, when the time came for Verena to return home, “I was not ready for her to leave but she was missing you all. One of the sweetest things she said before leaving here was, “’Wouldn’t it be nice if we could hold hands and go into Heaven together?’ Indeed, God gave us a sister bond.”
Verena is survived by her son Wesly; daughters Melody and Megan; sons-in-law Chuck, Gary and Steven; ex-husband Sam; granddaughters Hannah and Amanda; and lifelong friend and chosen sister Quilla Hill.
A small, private family service was held in Orange, Calif., on May 26, 2020. In the fullness of time, an interment service will be held at Ninety Six Cemetery in La Cygne, Kan. Verena will be buried alongside her parents and overlooking La Cygne Lake, which now covers the site of her grandparents’ family farm.
OBITUARIES
Robert “Bob” Eugene Markley ~ 04-11-1936 to 04-15-2024
Linn County News Published April 17, 2024 Robert (Bob) Eugene Markley, 88, was born on his family farm north of Mound City, Kansas, April 11, 1936, to Aaron R. and Hallie (Bell) Markley. He passed from this life on April, 15, 2024, at the very place he was born,... [More]
Ronald Joe Smith ~ 05-10-1944 to 04-11-2024
Linn County News Published April 17, 2024 Ronald Joe Smith, 79, LaCygne, Kan., passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kan. Visitation will be 10 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 19, 2024, at Bruce Funeral Home, 106 S. Center, Gardner,... [More]
Mary Tinsley ~ 12-15-1935 to 04-09-2024
Linn County News Published April 10, 2024 I, Mary Tinsley; being of sound mind and steadfast in my faith died today. My body decided to give out. Here I am, onto my next adventure, carried home to heaven by these wonderful angels shouting, ‘She is here, She... [More]
More Obituaries
- Frederick John “Fritz” Johanning, Jr. ~ 08-10-1948 to 03-26-2024
- Doris Maxine Basore ~ 01-02-1920 to 03-10-2024
- Janice (Good) Waltmire ~ 08-20-1937 to 03-09-2024
- Richard Lee Strader ~ 06-08-1974 to 02-24-24
- Robert William Harper, Jr. ~ 07-14-1947 to 02-24-2024
- Richard Eldon Baldwin ~ 07-21-1963 to 03-04-2024
- Michael Barry Hixon, Sr. ~ 08-31-1952 to 01-31-2024
- Charles Vernon Rowe ~ 08-14-1930 to 02-26-2024
NEWS
Commissioners appoint new county counselor
The Linn County Commissioners held several interviews in executive session following their meeting on Monday, Apr. 15, for the position of county counselor, legal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners. This week the commissioners appointed Mark Hagen, of Hagen Law Offices,... [More]
La Cygne accepts desludging cost
Biosolid removal at lagoons part of major sewer project La Cygne city leaders have accepted a cost for desludging at two of the city’s three wastewater lagoons. In a unanimous action at their regular meeting last Wednesday, the council approved $412,400 for... [More]
USD 362 sets capacity numbers
District now prepares for lottery applications Prairie View Unified School District 362 has set capacity numbers for the 2024-25 school year. At their monthly meeting April 16, the board of education unanimously adopted capacity of 80 students per grade level at... [More]
More News
- Pull Tabs for Pound Puppies
- Linn County Planning Commission proceeds with prohibiting commercial solar fields
- Commissioners send CUP for rock quarry back to P&Z again
- La Cygne to update police gear
- STARS welding competes at GCCC 2024 competition
- Mine Creek Battlefield Foundation to hold music festival
- SEKMH presents outreach program to commissioners
- Linn Valley residents respond to council appointment
SPORTS
Prairie View softball goes 4-2 in busy week
The Prairie View softball team played three double-headers this past week. On April 15 they hosted Paola and swept the Panthers 16-7 and 8-7. Then on April 16 they traveled to Osage City and split against them losing the first game 4-10 and winning the second 6-3. On April 18... [More]
Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and Oswego
The Pleasanton baseball team recently played league foes St. Paul and Oswego and swept them each in double-headers. On April 15 the team traveled to St. Paul and won both games 13-1 and 16-3 and then on April 22 they hosted Oswego and won both games 15-0 and 17-2. In the... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View track has strong performance at Anderson County
- Jayhawk track wins Pleasanton Invitational
- Pleasanton track hosts home invitational
- Jayhawk softball sweeps Crest
- Prairie View track takes on tough challenge at Paola
- Pleasanton baseball routs Yates Center
- Pleasanton baseball starts season 4-0
- Jayhawk softball sweeps Central Heights, splits against Uniontown
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com