Linda Lee (Bonser) Rider, 72

On the morning of Dec. 5, 2025, Linda Lee (Bonser) Rider of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, lost her hard-fought battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family and went peacefully to heaven to join those ahead of her and ride the forever green pastures on a good string of horses.

Born Oct. 11, 1953, to Clifford and Maxine Bonser, she grew up in the Rose Lake area, where she was her dad’s right-hand man in cowboying. Notably, she was Kootenai High School Valedictorian and Smelterville Rodeo Queen.

Linda met Robert while they were both working on the 63 Guest Ranch in Montana. Later, they crossed paths while going to school at the University of Idaho, where she got her degree in Interior Design.

Linda married Robert Evan Rider Jan. 5, 1974, and together they raised their three daughters – Sharla, Celia (Cece) and Cassandra (Cassy) in Wolf Lodge just outside of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Linda touched many lives through the activities and organizations in which she engaged. From 4-H (as a leader and Program Assistant) to Cattlemen’s and Cow Belle’s Associations, Idaho Outfitters and Guides, Leadership Idaho Ag, Farm Bureau, Kootenai Fairground Board to creating and running Farm to Table for area 5th graders to learn about agriculture and where their food comes from.

Linda spent years showing guests the true North Idaho experience while running Rider Ranch. She took them on trail rides, wagon rides, events at the barn, and later hosted weddings and large events at The Willows. Nearly all these encounters included teaching a little about logging, cattle and agriculture in general. Linda loved to share her true passion as an advocate for agriculture and the family farmer and rancher.

While being a typical horse person, she would rather be at the barn than cleaning house, but was known for her cooking – steak dinners, beef stew, Mollies, homemade bread, home-canned jams and Dutch oven desserts. 

Linda and Robert had recently spent time touring the country in their van, including a road trip to Kentucky and back. 

Her presence will be greatly missed as she was so active and engaged in her community.

Linda is survived by husband Rob, daughters Sharla (and Steve) Wilson, Cece (and Will) Baldwin, and Cassy Rider (and Nick Beckett). Grandchildren Jay (and Kali) Wilson, Wyatt and Cade Baldwin. She was preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter Julie and son-in-law Ty.

Celebration of life will be held May 9, 2026, at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds (details to come later). You may make donations to the Linda Rider Memorial account at First Interstate Bank (mention Robert Rider when you donate). These donations will be used to support agricultural education programs, such as Farm to Table.