Lynda Kitty (Owens) Knight

     Lynda Kitty Owens Knight was born November 5, 1940 to Milton and Glendora Owens in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Our grandma told us many times that this little girl was born very independent, with a stubborn streak. She was always very comfortable in her own skin and a “what you see is what you get” person. Soon after her birth, her dad joined the Navy and the rest of her family joined the war effort at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Washington. Even at that time, it took a village to raise a child and families stuck together. Her mom and grandma worked on the ships and her other grandma took care of Lynda while they worked. She had a strong bond with her Grandma Elsie and Grandpa Percy. She always loved spending time with them and bonding with their Cocker Spaniel dogs. After the war, the family moved back to Idaho and purchased the Alpine in Ketchum. She spent her much-enjoyed childhood and early adult years skiing the slopes of Baldy and Dollar Mountains in the winter and riding her horses all over the valley in the summer. Wagon Days started in 1958 and we have a cherished picture of her in the first Wagon Days Parade. Lynda attended Ketchum Elementary School and graduated from Wood River High School in 1958.

     One would think that if your family owned a business, that would be where you would get a job… NOT our independent mom… “Why didn’t you work at the Alpine?” “I was NOT going to be the daughter of the boss.” Instead, she independently gained employment and enjoyed her teenage jobs at the Round House and Trail Creek Cabin. We heard numerous colorful stories about the rich and famous people she served in those dining rooms.

     While attending a dance in Hailey, she met the love of her life, Harold Knight. They were married October 22, 1959 and this town girl from a small family was immediately thrown into his very large family, learning farming and ranching along with the life that went along with it. Imagine the culture shock waking up to a cold baby calf or lamb warming by the wood stove for the first time. She adapted quickly and was soon raising bum lambs and bottle calves to help supplement their income. She was most definitely a WORKER and always did her share and then some to help provide for her family. Mom was 100% dedicated to Dad and their way of life. She even went as far as letting him trade in her pink Lincoln for a green International pickup. Talk about a team player! ♥

     She worked at Tupperware in Jerome from 1973 until the plant closed in 1987. Shortly after starting that job, she met up and was reacquainted with her childhood friend Neva Black Cox, who also worked at Tupperware. They renewed their friendship and became lifelong friends. She and Kathy (Gigot) another childhood friend and skiing companion have remained in contact and exchanging letters since grade school. One of her favorite, sensible (she always liked sensible) gifts was a roll of stamps. Lynda loved receiving cards and letters and usually sent return correspondence within a few days. She did her part to keep the postal service operating for most of her life.

     Lynda and Harold carried mail from Gooding to Fairfield/Hill City for several years, making that drive twice a day. They retired in 2012 and in keeping with family tradition, we threw them a surprise camping trip to celebrate their retirement.

     As a devoted mom and grandma, she spent over 60 years supporting, following and attending her kids’ and grandchildren’s school, sporting, 4-H, and rodeo activities.

     Lynda and Harold spent most of their lives together in Gooding, Idaho working hard, raising their family, farming, ranching and finding time for her all-time favorite camping trips. Be it on horseback, or on 4 -wheelers in the later years, in the mountains, riding trails, the family motto always being “get to the top.” We would think we were close to the top and Dad would stop, point up higher to the highest peak, and say…”If we go over there, around that bend, up that ridge, and keep climbing right there, we can get clear to the top.” We were trained early to get to the top… “Then we can see what’s on the other side.” Those trips and memories will be forever in our hearts. The Knight Family Reunion was an important event in her mind and she was thankful to attend this summer. Family, friends, and extended family were very special to her and she was glad to visit with many nieces and nephews at Federal Gulch.

     Lynda moved from the house they had lived in since 1977 last November and lived with Glenda and Clay. Thank you both, along with your beautiful girls, for providing her with much needed companionship and care. In this chapter of her life, she was once again able to bond with more Cocker Spaniels. She loved them and they obviously thought she was pretty special also. Every time we visited, there were Roxie and Flynn on her lap. I think she even pet them when she was watching a western on T.V. with her eyes closed.

     God needed her beautiful soul and called Lynda home to the highest peak September 7, 2025. She was welcomed by a full house, including her loving husband and best friend Harold, parents, brother Kirby, many more family members and friends. We can only imagine the big smile on your face and twinkle in your eyes as you join your welcoming party. Celebrate well and enjoy the reunion. We know heaven is a beautiful place with you up there.

     Mom, we will send you off with this…As we continue “around the bend, up the ridge, and keep climbing higher right there to the top, so we can see what’s on the other side,” know you will always be in our hearts. We love you so very much!... Until we meet again…

     Lynda is loved and missed by her children, Cody (Kevan) Varin, Andy (Kathleen) Knight, Glenda Knight (Clay Crawford), Carrie (Bill) Sheaffer, Shane (Mary Ann) Knight and their families, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

     We would like to send our heartfelt thanks to Dr. McClam, Visions Hospice Care, and Loving Elder Care for their dedicated care and support during Lynda’s final days.

     A service for Lynda will be at the Hailey Cemetery Saturday September 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.     

     Please join us immediately following the service at the Upper Wood River Grange for a luncheon, visiting and sharing stories.

     Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.

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