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
Bryan Lee Turpen ~ 03-25-1977 to 12-21-2024
Linn County News Published January 1, 2025 Bryan Lee Turpen, age 47, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. He was born on March 25, 1977, in Paola, Kan., the son of Joe Junior and Phyllis K. LeRoy Turpen. He graduated from Prairie View High School... [More]
Darrell Eugene Jackson ~ 02-12-1938 to 12-17-2024
Linn County News Published December 25, 2024 Darrell Eugene Jackson, age 86, passed away at his Mound City, Kan., home on Dec. 17, 2024. Darrell was born on Feb. 12, 1938, in Bronson, Kan. He was the seventh of eleven children born to Raymond and Bertha (Colgin)... [More]
Elda Mae Burch ~ 2-17-1946 to 12-19-2024
Linn County News Published December 25, 2024 Elda Mae Burch, 78, of Pleasanton, Kan., died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at Olathe Hospice House following a long battle with her health. Elda Mae was born at home in Miami County on Dec. 17, 1946, to Corval Wayne and... [More]
More Obituaries
- Monty Ray Maus ~ 06-02-1964 to 12-12-2024
- Mark Bradley Lee ~ 02-08-1963 to 12-13-2024
- Joseph “Jody” Charles Haen ~ 10-08-1952 to 12-10-2024
- Keith Alan Smith ~ 12-01-1952 to 12-07-2024
- Sherman Leroy Spence ~ 08-09-1940 to 12-06-2024
- Richard Lee Lindsey ~ 10-06-2955 to 12-08-2024
- Merle Lynn Schneider ~ 11-04-1948 to 12-06-2024
- Cynthia Eileen “Cindy” Staton ~ 03-31-1957 to 11-26-2024
NEWS
USD 362 proceeds with Vo-Ag fire damage fix
District will use bidding services of Wichita consulting firm At their Dec. 17 monthly meeting, Unified School District 362 board of education members verbally concurred to proceed on fixes from a Nov. 22 fire at Prairie View High. Following research compiled by... [More]
County exploring option for new fire station
During the Dec. 16 commissioners meeting, Linn County Rural Fire Chief Randy Hegwald reported to commissioners that he and Assistant Fire Chief Brian Shroyer had recently attended an ISO rating training event and that he had been discussing the possibility of a new fire station... [More]
La Cygne mulls compactor contract
Leaders still hesitant after county rep appearance La Cygne city leaders will continue consideration on whether to sign a new county/city trash compactor agreement that follow in-person discussions at last Wednesday’s regular council meeting with Shaun West,... [More]
More News
- Commissioners review 900 Road issues with engineer
- Emotions flare at ‘spirited’ Parker meeting
- County Clerk reads statement on discrepancy reported by auditor
- Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of Blue Mound, Linn County
- Lettuce, lettuce for everyone
- Local food drives to aid Linn County organizations and families
- Commissioner questions process of clerk’s resignation, appointment
- La Cygne leaders anticipate quotes
SPORTS
Prairie View boys’ and girls’ basketball face league foes Santa Fe Trail and Iola
The Prairie View basketball teams had a busy week before Christmas break as they hosted Santa Fe Trail on Dec. 17 and traveled to Iola on Dec. 19 for Pioneer League games. The girls did well as they won both their games while the boys battled but did not fare as well losing... [More]
Pleasanton boys’ basketball earn wins at Miami
The Pleasanton boys’ basketball team traveled to Miami on Dec. 17 for a non-league, Missouri game before the Christmas break. The Jays just had a second-place finish in the Linn County Tournament the week prior and the team continued their winning ways as they defeated... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk Linn girls’ basketball wins Linn County Tournament
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball places second at Linn County Tournament
- Prairie View girls’ basketball places second at Linn County Tournament
- Prairie View varsity girls’ wrestling compete at Spring Hill
- Jayhawk varsity girls’ wrestling start season at KanOkla tournament
- Prairie View football sets multiple school and individual records
- Hume teams lose openers at Appleton City
- All County Volleyball team 2024
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com