Linn County News
Published May 10, 2017
William Lawrence “Larry” Blair, former long-time Linn County Agricultural Extension agent, passed away with family attending, April 8, 2017. He had been residing in Pratt, Kan. He was 86 years old. Larry was born to Lonnie Earl and Della Mae Johnston Blair on June 2, 1930, at their Wagner, Okla., farm. He was the fourth of nine children, with three sisters and five brothers.
Larry graduated from Okay High School in 1949. From there he attended Connors State Agricultural College and then Oklahoma State University at Stillwater, where he graduated in 1954.
He married Peggy LaJune Pride of Boynton, Okla., on May 24, 1952.
He worked for the Iowa Extension Service at Winterset, Iowa, from 1954-1960. The rest of his career was spent in Kansas with the KSU Extension Service at El Dorado, Emporia and then Mound City for 28 years.  He retired in 1992. His county leadership helped develop many of the conveniences enjoyed in Linn County today – rural fire and water districts, zoning, a solid waste disposal system and the first municipal swimming pool in the county.
His wife preceded him in death Aug. 1, 2003. Larry continued to live in Mound City until June 2009, when he moved near his son Mike in Pratt. He continued to be active outdoors.
He is survived by two children, Larry Michael Blair (Chris), Pratt, and Linda Blair Gifford (Don), Topeka; four grandchildren, Jennie Blair Christensen (Paul), Batam, Indonesia, Kaycie Blair Ferrell (Jason), Pratt, Randi Gifford Stones (Rick), Topeka, and Alex Gifford (Molly), Jenks, Okla.; and great-grandchildren, Beau Ferrell, Charlie and Lucy Stones, and Emma and Lucas Gifford. Also surviving are two brothers, Russell Blair of Wagner, Okla., and Kenneth Blair of Albany, Ore.
Services to celebrate Larry’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017, at the Mound City First Baptist Church, 8424 Paine Rd., Mound City, where Larry and Peggy were long-time members. He is interred with his wife at the Mound City Cemetery.
Hospice faithfully attended both Larry and Peggy. Memorial contributions can be sent on their behalf to Interim Healthcare & Hospice, 9920 E. Harry St., Wichita, KS 67207.

OBITUARIES

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

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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

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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

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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]

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PLEASANTON WEATHER

NEWS

Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County

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Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion

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La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral

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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]

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SPORTS

Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

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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

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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.

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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

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