William Jerome Jonas Jr. passed away Dec. 15, 2014, at his home at Fort Randall, S.D., surrounded by family. William was born May 8, 1938, to William Sr. and Lauretta (Kirwan) Jonas.
He grew up in Gregory, S.D., where he attended the Catholic School and Gregory High School. He graduated in 1956 and went on to attend the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, S.D.
He married Norma Jean Vedral Aug. 31, 1957. To this union four children were born: Danita, Denice, Julie and William III.
During the early years of their marriage William worked heavy construction and the family moved to Kansas City, Kan., Jasper, Texas, and Claremore, Okla. In 1969, the family moved to Pleasanton, Kan., where William and Norma started Landmark Surveying Co. and Jonas Vintage Auto.
In 1995, William and Norma moved to Fort Randall and took over operation of Jonas’ Eagle Roost Ranch. William enjoyed working on the ranch, restoring antique cars and spending time with his family and friends. He was very involved with youth deer hunting and had numerous youths come to the ranch for their first hunting experience.
He is survived by his children: Danita Snyder and husband Larry of Pleasanton, Kan., Denice Umbarger and husband Bruce of Pickstown, S.D., Julie Hartung and husband Dennis of Hutchinson, Kan., and William III of Independence, Mo.; and four grandchildren, Tristan Snyder, Darla Snyder, Bryce Hartung and Kenlee Jonas. Also surviving is one brother John Jonas and wife Wanda of Laurel, Neb., and their children Michael, Martin, Matthew and Cindy and their families.
He was preceded in death by his wife Norma (Vedral) and his parents William Sr. and Lauretta (Kirwan) Jonas.
Funeral services will be held Jan. 24, 2015, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gregory, S.D., at 10 a.m. There will be a noon meal and fellowship immediately following at Mary Vale Hall.
OBITUARIES
Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Kelly Kehl, age 87, of Mound City, Kan., passed away Saturday, June 28, 2025, at his rural Mound City home. Kelly was born March 25, 1938, south of Parker, Kan., to Keith (Tom) Emerson Kehl and Helen Edith (Giffin) Kehl. Kelly... [More]
Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Kandi Kay Cruse passed away on June 27, 2025, at the age of 67 after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on March 29, 1958, in Colorado Springs, Colo., Kandi’s zest for life and carefree spirit were evident from an early age. She... [More]
Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Jessica Cae Pritchett age 43 of Parker, Kan., died Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Eddy Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie, Kan. ... [More]
More Obituaries
- 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
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
- Windfred Allen DeMott ~ 09-15-1940 to 06-07-2025
- Maxine Breuel ~ 11-20-1926 to 06-07-2025
- Richard Paul Henderson ~ 07-26-1950 to 06-01-2025
NEWS
special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case

Case paves the way for states to continue to protect women and girl's athletic opportunities Topeka, Kan. July 3, 2025 - Today, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari in Hecox v. Little and West Va., v. BPJ. Rep.... [More]
SPECIA;: Schmidt Votes to Cancel Massive Tax Hike, Secure Border, and Lower Federal Spending

WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) issued the following statement regarding passage of the budget reconciliation bill by the U.S. House of Representatives, also called the “One Big Beautiful Bill”: “Last November,... [More]
NOTICE:

The Linn County News and Linn County Printing offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, in honor of the holiday.
More News
- Pleasanton awarded $617,000 KDOT street grant
- Commissioners discuss development zoning appeals
- Questions on employee emails leads to lengthy discussion
- NOTICE:
- Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners
- Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
SPORTS
Gratton at Nationals

Pleasanton’s Ashton Gratton qualifies for the Adidas Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina after winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes in the KSHSAA 2A State tournament in Wichita on May 31. The Adidas Nationals took place from June 20-22 and Gratton did well in both the... [More]
Summer Ball Tournaments

The Parker 8-11 baseball team 1 places first in their league tournament at La Cygne on June 28. See more photos on page B1 of this week's edition.
More Sports
- 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
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
OBITUARIES POLICY
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

