“Oh, you’re replacing Linda” was a comment I would often hear in my first year as editor/publisher of the I-R.

No. That was the answer then and it is still the answer today.

I knew before I stepped in the door the first day on the job that I could never replace Linda Mowery-Denning. Nor was it my desire to do so.

Linda had a very unique position in Ellsworth County’s history, and even in the history of journalism in Kansas. I could never have done what she and Sharon Montague did — come into an existing market and build a successful, competing newspaper from the ground up.

It was a Herculean task and simply put, I don’t have the energy to do it.

But Linda did. She had the passion, drive, moxy, gumption and stubbornness to make it happen.

I sit in this position today because of the thousands of hours of blood, sweat and tears she poured into her newspaper.

When I was called Nov. 5 and informed of her death, you could have knocked me over with the proverbial feather. I was gobsmacked. If I’m being completely honest, I still am.

Linda semi-retired more than a year ago, but she was still a presence around the paper. I could still shoot her an email or pick up the phone to ask a question or seek more clarity or background on a local situation.

It is still hard to realize that I can no longer do any of those things.

The outpouring and kindness from Ellsworth County has been remarkable to watch. The messages, emails and those individuals who have stopped by the office to offer their condolences and memories has been so touching to witness.

While not an elected official, Linda was certainly a public figure. She showed up for Ellsworth County, and it is heartwarming to see those in the community who are showing up for her family and her paper (yes, I still think of the I-R as “Linda’s paper” and it’s quite possible I always will).

My first memory of Linda was probably in 2007 or 2008. It was one of the big cattle drives, and I was assisting my friend and fellow photographer, Jeff Cooper, with photos. At the time, I was recovering from mono, and so my doctor asked me to not camp out during the drive. Instead, I camped out in Linda’s basement.

Years later, when she was being inducted into the Newspaper Hall of Fame, she asked me to take her portrait. In passing, I said, “whenever you’re ready to retire, let me know. I’d love to work at your paper.” It took several years for this abstract comment to become a reality.

I feel that as I close this column, Linda would encourage me to continue to “sell, sell, sell.” If you’re one of our readers who grabs a copy on the newsstand, please consider subscribing to the I-R. It’s a simple way to honor her legacy.

Bonar is the editor/publisher of the I-R and can be reached at kbonar@indyrepnews. com.