Linda Bowden

1939 - 2016

Linda Bowden
1939 - 2016
Melinda Belle Schrecongost was born August 5, 1939 to Lois and Alvin Schrecongost. She lived on an acreage east of New Plymouth, Idaho until age 7. When she lost her mother, the family moved to the Longfellow neighborhood of Boise's North End. Linda attended Longfellow, North Junior High and graduated from Boise High School. She then attended Link's School of Business learning secretarial skills. She worked for GMAC Acceptance Corporation and Union Pacific in downtown Boise.
She married Britt Bowden in 1961 and together they raised David and Stephanie. During this time, she was active in the Junior League and took up photography. Throughout her life, she was the official photographer for many political and charitable events.
Linda and two friends hitched a ride when Clark was flying to California, and the race was "on". She married Clark Magstadt in November of 1980. They had many wonderful years together. During their marriage, they traveled frequently and Linda became very active in politics. She worked at the legislature and managed various political campaigns for her good friends Dean and Sheila Sorensen, Butch Otter and Jim Risch.
Of all her contributions to political and charitable causes she was most proud of her work with the late Opal Fisher, widow of Vardis Fisher. Linda worked tirelessly with Opal organizing the late author's papers. Linda served as Coordinator for the movie premiere of "Jeremiah Johnson" at the then Ada theater which served as a benefit for Vardis Fisher's estate in 1972.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents and brother, John Schrecongost. She is survived by her children, David and Stephanie Bowden; grandson, Britt Bowden; Clark Magstadt; brother, Dennis Schrecongost and sister, Penny Campbell.
Appreciation goes to the staff at Brookdale and St. Luke's Hospice for their support and care. Friends and family are invited to Clark's house on Wednesday, November 9 from 4 to 6 PM to reminisce about Linda.