The death of Willa Dean Kerns Creager, age 77, of Pleasanton, Kan., means the passing of a wonderful Irish mother. Willa was born at La Cygne, Kan., on Aug. 21, 1937, the younger of two daughters born to Jess and Bessie McGinnis Kerns. She graduated from La Cygne Rural High School in the Class of 1956.
She was united in marriage to William H. Hampson on Oct. 20, 1956. They were blessed with four beautiful daughters. Willa and Bill raised their four daughters on a farm west of Paola, Kan. She then worked in the health care industry.
Real heroes are people who do ordinary things extraordinarily well. Willa loved taking care of her family on the farm. She kept an immaculate and well decorated home. Her family was fed delicious and nutritious meals from gardens, orchards and their own beef, chickens and dairy cows. She raised her children in the church, playing the organ and singing with her beautiful angelic voice. With only one arm, the other weakened by polio as a child, she accomplished being a farmer’s wife, mother of four children and so much more. She was known for her culinary skills, fruit cobblers, homemade bread and her beautiful smile. After raising her children, she became an accomplished clogger, line dancer and oil painter.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her premature son RonaldLee Hampson in 1957; her grandson Jeremy Sherman Moody in 2004; and brother in law Gene Rockwell.
She is survived by four daughters: Nancy Player and husband Jim, Marsha Windisch, Lanette Silvey and husband Dale, Billie Jo Knowles and husband Danny; one sister Esther Rockwell; 20 grandchildren, Lisa Lenzen, Emily Brown, Joy Davila, Kyle Windisch, Kristina Sulivan, Greg Windisch, Joseph Windisch, Shawn Windisch, Wesley Windisch, Jessica Diskson, Allyssa Knowles, Meagan Knowles, Dylan Knowles, William Knowles, Laura Knowles, Luke Knowles, Cierra Knowles, Chloe Knowles and Matthew Knowles; 16 great-grandchildren; and cousins John McGinnis, Shirley Gomerdinger, Dorothy Presson, Don, Loren and Dick Stewart and Barbara Bensen, Rosetta Beard, Gary and Marvin Creager and Glenda Borgelt.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2015, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until service time at the Chapel. Contributions are suggested to Mercy Hospice. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel.
OBITUARIES
Paul David Hamilton ~ 11-07-1950 to 09-23-2025

Linn County News Published October 1, 2025 Paul David Hamilton passed away at his home on the family farm outside of Pleasanton, Kan., on Sept. 23, 2025. Paul was born to David and Dora Hamilton on Nov. 7, 1950, in Fort Scott, Kan., and was their only son. Paul... [More]
Lora Lynn West ~ 10-22-1959 to 09-24-2025

Linn County News Published October 1, 2025 Lora Lynn West, age 65, passed away peacefully to her reward in heaven on Sept. 24, 2025, at home in Prescott, Kan. Lora was the daughter of Orville and Cordia Vanwinkle. She was born and grew up in Chanute, Kan.,... [More]
Lois Ann Simons ~ 11-12-1937 to 09-27-2025

Linn County News Published October 1, 2025 Lois Ann Simons, age 87, Mound City, Kan., passed away Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. She was born on Nov. 12, 1937, at Pleasanton, Kan., the daughter of Oliver and Elva Jackson Jennings. After graduating high school Lois... [More]
More Obituaries
- Betty Joan Haupt ~ 10-03-1931 to 09-29-2025
- Carolyn Lee Wilson Dunlop ~ 12-15-1944 to 09-27-2025
- Angie Yeates Randall ~ 06-22-1967 to 09-22-2025
- William Howard Hansuld ~ 04-17-1960 to 09-19-2025
- Bernita Mae Ala ~ 02-28-1921 to 09-17-2025
- Morgan Leon Wakefield ~ 05-08-1996 to 09-09-2025
- Jackie “Jack” Howard Shroyer ~ 01-24-1940 to 09-04-2025
- Wallace “Mack” Probasco ~ 07-05-1959 to 09-02-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: KBI conducts statewide marijuana enforcement operation

TOPEKA – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) executed numerous search warrants in cities across the state at vape shops and CBD dispensaries to seize products being sold illegally in Kansas. On Wednesday, Oct. 1, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and KBI... [More]
Pleasanton council vetoed on fire volunteer appointments

The Pleasanton Council heard from Fire Chief Jeff Wisdom Monday night concerning lack of personnel to respond to fires eliminating the department from getting credit for calls with ISO. “We need more people,” he said. He said last week they trained on pulling hose... [More]
Kansas Policy Institute talks property taxes with legislature

Recently Dave Trabert with the Kansas Policy Institute gave testimony to the Kansas State Legislature regarding property taxes and the changes that the Institute has tracked over the last few years. Trabert told legislators that after staying in a narrow band of fluctuation... [More]
More News
- Pleasanton city candidate forum Oct. 6
- County logo sees little change
- Linn County P&Z Appeals Board denies subdivision appeal
- Commissioners discuss suggestion to leave EDA position vacant
- USD 362 board hears positive results from spring state tests
- Special: Rep. Derek Schmidt now accepting applications for U.S. Military Academy nominations
- Pleasanton council votes 2-2 on RNR, budget
- Mine Creek Battlefield bridge ribbon cutting this weekend
SPORTS
Pleasanton volleyball travels to Arma and Prairie View

The Pleasanton volleyball team traveled to Northeast Arma and Prairie View this past week. They went to Arma for a TRL triangular against Northeast and Moran on Sept. 23. They then traveled to Prairie View for a best of five game against the Buffalos on Sept. 25. To see the... [More]
Jayhawk volleyball goes 4-0 on the week

The Jayhawk Linn volleyball team traveled to play four TRL games last week. First on Sept. 22 the Hawks hosted Southern Coffey County and Crest before traveling to Cherokee on Sept. 23 to face Southeast Cherokee and Central Heights. To see the full article, check out... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton volleyball competes at Yates Center and Humboldt
- Prairie View football picks up a big win against Wellsville
- Jayhawk volleyball has a solid week going 3-0
- Seasoned Olpe powers over young 'Hawks
- Wade and Schneider start impressive girls’ golf season for the Buffalos and Hawks
- Turnovers and other mistakes see Hawks fall at Anderson County 27-6
- Prairie View girls’ cross country leads the Buffalos at Fort Scott
- Opening drive, opportunities spur 'Jays to 1st win
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com
