Mankato Radio Owner and Two Others Die in Alaska Avalanche
A former Mankato man was killed in an avalanche in Alaska Tuesday. John David Linder, most recently of Miami Florida, was skiing with three other men when the avalanche buried three of them near Girdwood Alaska, which is south of Anchorage. The group had been dropped off on top of a mountain by a helicopter and three of the men were buried as they skied. Officials say they deployed safety gear, but poor weather hampered rescue efforts on Wednesday.
Linder was the son of the late radio station owner John Linder, and co-owned the Mankato Radio Group. Mankato Radio owns several radio stations in southern Minnesota, including the four stations of Lakeland Media in Willmar. Managing Partner Matt Ketelsen says the death of Linder has left them stunned.
