Linda Ely received a B.A. in education from Idaho State University.  After several years of teaching, Linda then spent fifteen (15) years in the Garden Center and Nursery business in Coeur d'Alene and served on the Urban Forestry Committee for the City of Coeur d'Alene.  Later she was hired by Kootenai County Noxious Weed Control.  Linda spent ten (10) years working for Kootenai County Noxious Weed Control, the last five (5) years as Noxious Weed Superintendent.  After retiring in  2014, Linda started a small greenhouse business specializing in vegetables suitable for North Idaho and plants native to Idaho.