Roseva McLinden

Ruby Roseva Melson McLinden was born April 28, 1917, in Green City, Mo., to Joseph W. and Verna (Churchill) Melson.

At the age of 4, she moved to a farming area east of Burns, known as Pleasant Valley, where she attended her eight years of grade school. She attended high school in Cedar Point. Her family then moved to Burns, where she graduated from Burns High School in 1935. She attended one year at El Dorado Junior College. She came home to help care for her mother, working odd jobs such as clerk in a drug store and going by bus to Florence to prepare the WPA payroll. She also babysat for two families.

On April 8, 1940, she married V.L. “Bud” McLinden in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Florence. She immediately became active in the cattle business her husband ran. They had one son, Richard Leo “Dick,” born Oct. 23, 1942.

She became very active in her church, acting as president of the Ladies Society, helping with fundraising, teaching CCD education, and became involved with the Diocese Council of Catholic Women serving her turn as president. She also attended the national DCCW conferences in Las Vegas, Nev., Miami, Fla., New Orleans, La., and other places. In 1972, she also served as president of the Kansas Cow Belles, an auxiliary of KLA, of which she was a 50-year member.

In 1999, while staying involved in the family business, Bud and Roseva retired from the ranch, after 52 years, moving to a home in Marion. He preceded her in death Dec. 22, 2002.

After an accident in 2005, Roseva moved to Marion Assisted Living Center where she passed away Jan. 24, 2009.

Roseva is survived by her son, Dick, and wife Patty McLinden of Marion; grandchildren, Chuck and wife Lori McLinden of Marion, and Susie and husband Craig Morton of Olathe. She was blessed to enjoy four great-grandchildren: Lauren and Jarret McLinden and Regan and Jordan Morton. Roseva also is survived by her brother, Ray Melson, of Wichita; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Rosary and visitation were Monday evening at Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion.

A funeral Mass was at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Family Parish, St. Patrick’s Church in Florence.

Interment was in the Hillcrest Cemetery of Florence.

Memorial funds have been established with Bud McLinden Rangeland Memorial Scholarship or Holy Family Parish/St. Mark’s Building Fund, all in care of the funeral home.