Local radio owner buried in avalanche
David Linder of Florida died March 4 in an avalanche in Alaska. He was one of the owners of KOWZ and KRUE Country Radio in Owatonna.
One of the owners of KOWZ Radio in Owatonna has died in an avalanche in Alaska.
David Linder, 39, has been identified as one of the skiers caught in the backcountry avalanche on March 4. He was part of a heli-skiing group that flew into the remote Chugach Mountain range outside of Anchorage.
Two others were also killed in the avalanche. A fourth skier with the group was rescued.
They were reportedly buried under at least 40 feet of snow. Officials reported the snow depth in that area could be up to 100 feet.
Linder took over ownership of Radio Mankato after the death of his father John in 2017. The family also owns the Linder Farm Network, which is a radio news network focusing on agriculture throughout Minnesota. They also own KOWZ and KRUE Country in Owatonna, among many other stations across southern Minnesota.
Matt and Lynn Ketelsen are also partners in the local radio empire.
David Linder was born and raised in Mankato, but most recently lived in Florida with his wife and three boys.
Prior to this accident, 15 people had been killed across the U.S. by avalanches this winter.