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
Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025

Linn County News Published July 23, 2025 Jean Driskell, age 82, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, July 18, 2025. Memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation... [More]
Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]
Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Ruth Ann Antrim, formerly Hueston, passed away July 7, 2025, after bravely battling cancer for many years. Ruth Ann was 74 years old. She lived and worked in the Mound City and Fort Scott, Kan., areas her... [More]
More Obituaries
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
- Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025
- Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025
- Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025
NEWS
Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County

A Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) resurfacing project on U.S. 69 in Linn County will begin the week of July 28. The project will resurface U.S. 69 with ultrathin bonded asphalt for just over 7 miles from Pleasanton to just north of... [More]
Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion

The majority of heated discussion came at the end of the Pleasanton City Council meeting Monday night during council discussion when Council people Bill Skipper and Angelina Randall squared off concerning the recent ISO inspection that occurred at the fire department. Skipper... [More]
La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral

Ad valorem revenue will decrease by almost $16,600, levy by over 7.6 mills The city of La Cygne will not only be revenue neutral but actually below neutral on its 2026 municipal budget. That was the report from Jodi Wade, city clerk, at last Wednesday’s regular... [More]
More News
- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
- SPECIAL: Resurfacing on U.S. 59 in Anderson County to begin in August 4
- Commissioners vote to exceed revenue neutral
- Mulberry Limestone CUP approved by P & Z
- SPECIAL: Benefits question an issue for county employees
- Commissioners discuss various budgets
- City learns of fire gear condition
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

