Linden Bart Bateman

Linden Bart Bateman passed away on January 22, 2026 in Idaho Falls. Governor Brad Little noted, "Idaho lost a true statesman."

He was born to Linden Foster Bateman and Bernice Patterson Bateman on July 11, 1940, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He spent his entire life in Idaho Falls, and had fond memories of attending Idaho Falls High School (class of 1958).

He obtained a degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University in 1962, and then served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in northern Germany (1962-1965). He retained a lifelong love for the German people, returning to the country several times and maintaining contact with friends there. He loved to speak and read in the German language.

While at BYU, he met Deann Willes of Maywood, California, and they were married on January 19, 1965, in the Switzerland LDS Temple. Their 61st wedding anniversary was celebrated a few days before Linden's death.

Linden was a member of the first faculty at Skyline High School when it opened in 1966 and later taught Government and History at Bonneville High School for 34 years.

While living near Iona, Linden raised registered Clydesdale horses and showed horses at fairs throughout the region. He treasured the memories of horse-drawn sleigh rides at Christmastime.

Following retirement from teaching, he worked for seven years as a supervisor of student teachers from BYU-Idaho and Idaho State University. During those years he also volunteered hundreds of hours of service in the emergency room at EIRMC.

He engaged in many causes which benefitted Idaho Falls and the state. His parents inspired his appreciation of museums and historical sites throughout the Intermountain West. He was a passionate advocate of Idaho and local history. One of his fondest childhood memories was gathering with his family around the living room radio, with huge bowls of popcorn, to hear weekly episodes of a program called "Idaho Story".

He was a charter member of the Bonneville County Historical Society, and in 1978 served as Chairman of the committee that established the first historical museum in Bonneville County in a single small room in the Bonneville County Court House. Linden was display chairman after the museum moved into the old Carnegie library building. The museum evolved into the "Museum of Idaho," which is one of the state's premier history museums.

In 1976, Bateman was elected to the Idaho State House of Representatives, serving 16 years, including two terms in House leadership as House Majority Caucus Chairman. In 2014, he proudly sponsored legislation which restored the requirement to teach cursive handwriting in the public schools. His belief was that knowledge of cursive enables people to read old family letters, journals, business records or historic public documents. While serving in the Legislature, he began drawing political cartoons, some of which were featured in major Idaho newspapers. His legislative work was recognized in a recent edition of the Idaho Blue Book. Bateman was also the author, sponsor, and successful advocate for the law designating March 4 annually as "Idaho Day" remembering Abraham Lincoln's creation of Idaho Territory on that day in 1863.

He received numerous awards and recognition for his teaching and public service. He was especially proud of an award presented by the 7th District Bar Association recognizing his creative excellence in the teaching of American Government.

Linden was known for his beautiful handwriting. He wrote hundreds of richly illustrated letters using vintage style pens, stationery and old postage stamps. He published numerous articles on topics of local and Idaho history. He was an enthusiastic collector of historical memorabilia. Bateman was justly known throughout Idaho as "Mr. History."

He is survived by his wife, Deann Willes Bateman; and their children, L. Eric (Michele) Bateman, Kirsten Bateman Dyer, and Stefan (Charrise) Bateman; grandchildren, Foster, Charlie, and Andy Bateman, Adam and Grace Dyer, and Samuel, Cecilia, Tomas, and Jeannie Bateman.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Karen.

If you wish to honor Linden's memory, a donation can be made to Museum of Idaho.

Services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Parkview Ward, 2051 Emerson in Idaho Falls. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Annis-Little Butte Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.