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
Keith Alan Smith ~ 12-01-1952 to 12-07-2024
Linn County News Published December 11, 2024 Keith Alan Smith, age 72, La Cygne, Kan., passed away Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at the Pleasanton High School. Memorial contributions are suggested... [More]
Sherman Leroy Spence ~ 08-09-1940 to 12-06-2024
Linn County News Published December 11, 2024 Sherman Leroy Spence, age 84, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. He was born on Aug. 9, 1940, in Welch, Okla., the son of Roy and Sadie Reavis Spence. After graduating from Pleasanton High School, Sherm... [More]
Richard Lee Lindsey ~ 10-06-2955 to 12-08-2024
Linn County News Published December 11, 2024 Richard Lee Lindsey, age 69, Pleasanton, Kan., passed away Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. He was born in Wichita, Kan., on Oct. 6, 1955, the son of Glen and Lilah Hall Lindsey. He graduated from Pleasanton High School. He then... [More]
More Obituaries
- Merle Lynn Schneider ~ 11-04-1948 to 12-06-2024
- Cynthia Eileen “Cindy” Staton ~ 03-31-1957 to 11-26-2024
- Venita Bruner Miller ~ 12-15-1931 to 11-18-2024
- Arnot Franklin Baldwin, Jr. ~ 12-06-1931 to 08-18-2024
- Deloris Marie Baldwin ~ 09-07-1936 to 10-01-2024
- Brandon Michael Eastwood ~ 09-19-1982 to 11-12-2024
- Sherri Marie Crane ~ 03-28-1969 to 11-12-2024
- Charles Schmitz ~ 07-21-1948 to 11-05-2024
NEWS
Lettuce, lettuce for everyone
USD 344 wins vertical sustainability garden grant A grant that Pleasanton USD 344 went after in October 2023 for a pod to grow vertical sustainability gardens was confirmed won by the district. Superintendent Don Epps said the program should produce 400 to 500 heads... [More]
Local food drives to aid Linn County organizations and families
Three local schools and one local business are working to ensure that all of Linn County has a happy and healthy holiday season. Pleasanton Elementary, Parker Elementary and La Cygne Elementary are collecting canned and shelf-stable food products for the holiday season. Parker... [More]
Commissioner questions process of clerk’s resignation, appointment
During the Dec. 9 meeting, Linn County Commissioner Jim Johnson noted he had been asked by several people and questioned County Clerk David Lamb on the process that will take place when his resignation becomes effective. Lamb explained to the commissioners that it is up to... [More]
More News
- La Cygne leaders anticipate quotes
- Commissioners review option for county website
- SPECIAL: Lamb resigns County Clerk position
- Deputy extinguishes fire at Prairie View
- Commissioners meet with city representatives on compactor sites
- Pleasanton Council discusses compactor agreement
- Commissioners hold election canvass
- Linn Valley Council fills vacant council seat
SPORTS
Prairie View varsity girls’ wrestling compete at Spring Hill
The Prairie View girls’ varsity wrestling team traveled to Spring Hill on Dec. 7 to compete in the Spring Hill Girls’ Invitational. The Lady Buffs placed 10th out of 21 teams with a score of 46. Gardner Edgerton won the tournament with a score of 179. Here are the... [More]
Jayhawk varsity girls’ wrestling start season at KanOkla tournament
The Jayhawk girls’ varsity and JV wrestling teams traveled to Caney Valley on Dec. 6 to compete in the KanOkla girls’ wrestling tournament. The Lady Hawks placed 14th out of 20 teams with 50 team points. Douglas won the tournament with 130.5 team points. Here are... [More]
More Sports
- Hume teams lose openers at Appleton City
- All County Volleyball team 2024
- Three Rivers League releases 11 man All League football team
- Jayhawk volleyball has a great season and earns four unanimous all league selections
- Prairie View volleyball celebrates record setting season of team and individual accomplishments
- Prairie View football defeats Columbus to move to the sectional round of the playoffs
- Prairie View football advances to Regional round of 3A playoffs
- Jayhawk cross country finishes season at 3A State meet at Rim Rock
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com