Lynn Linseth

Modern-Era Rodeo

Inducted 2013

Born June 29, 1936, Lynn Nordean Linseth was raised in McKenzie County, one of 13 children of Severne and Gudrun Linseth. He grew up on the family farm and attended Dickinson State University on a football scholarship before joining the military. After a distinguished career in the United States Army, Lynn returned to North Dakota to begin his career in rodeo.


Nicknamed “The Lone Ranger,” Lynn started out as a bulldogger. Over the past 45 years he has been a rodeo judge, chute boss, stock contractor and rodeo advocate. Lynn has coached riders and mentored stock contractors, and always encourages young competitors to help keep rodeo alive in future years. He has been a strong supporter of the High School Rodeo Association, junior rodeos, showdeos and athletics of all types.


Lynn purchased his first bucking horses at the famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale in Montana. He continued to grow his herd, hauling horses all over North Dakota and, for several years, to the Denver Stock Show, earning North Dakota Rodeo Association titles such as Bareback Horse of the Year (Queenie) and Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year (Centennial, in 1986 and 1987).


The horses weren’t the only award winners in Lynn’s family. The man himself was a member of the honor guard that watches over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, was chosen to be Queen Elizabeth’s personal bodyguard during one of her visits to the United States, and was a personal bodyguard to President Dwight D. Eisenhower.


Lynn is active in his community, volunteering to help with ranching, rodeo, neighbors or wherever else he is needed.

Lynn Linseth died February 16, 2020.