Linda Rae Barefield

Linda Rae Barefield passed away August 26, 2026 with family by her side. She battled peritoneal cancer multiple times over the past 4 years, fighting it with all her strength. Linda passed at peace and ready to be with her late husband, Brent.

Born to Donald Earl Mills and Marlene Alice Pifer in Mitchell, S.D. on March 15, 1957, Linda was the second of their four children, rebellious, beautifully stubborn, and confident. She fiercely cared for her family and friends.

When 11, her family moved to Great Falls, Montana. It was there she would meet the love of her life, Brent Daniel Barefield. They graduated from C.M.R. High School in 1975 and married on March 12, 1976. They were married for 45 years before Brent passed in May of 2021. There is peace knowing she has rejoined the other half of her heart.

Brent and Linda’s son, Matthew, was born in July of 1981. They devoted their lives to him and were so proud of his accomplishments. He was supported deeply by them, and that love and devotion extended to Sarah, Matt’s wife, and their children, Bexley and Whitley.

Linda was “Bamma” to her grandchildren. She loved attending and supporting their sports and activities. They, in turn, loved being with her at her house, tending to her beautiful yard and flowers, and being spoiled with her cooking and unending love.

Much of Linda’s life was devoted to Wild West Shirt Co. From August 1976, for 43 years, she managed the Shirtworks, was general manager of the 12 retail stores, and became the art director and account representative. Don Cowles, the owner, was one of her dearest friends. Their friendship was of true value to her.

Linda’s last years, despite fighting cancer, were spent beautifying her house, flowers, and loving her dogs. She was independent and proud of what had been built. She was an example of strength.

Linda is preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and husband Brent Barefield. She is survived by son Matthew (Sarah), grandchildren Bexley and Whitley, sister Pam Tice (J.T.), brother Brian Mills (Laurie Richards), Sister Alisa Peterson (Tim), and her nieces and nephews.

Linda wished for no public service or memorial.

“The most beautiful thing about love is that not even death can undo it.”

Patty and I wish to express our gratitude and recognize the contribution and service Linda Barefield gave to Wild West Shirt Company.

In August 1976 Linda and her husband Brent had moved to Bozeman when Linda walked into my retail store, The Emporium, seeking a job. She was hired on the spot which began a 43-year journey with our business and our family.

Her employment began as a clerk in our retail store the Shirtworks, and soon she became its manager. During the 80s, Wild West expanded its Shirtworks and retail store division to 16 stores spread across six Western states. During this time, Linda became the Operations General Manager for all the stores which required extensive travel, long hours, and complete commitment.

In the late 90s Wild West reduced its retail store footprint to two Shirtworks stores. At that time, Linda took on new duties at our wholesale business Wild West Shirt Company as Merchandiser, Art Director, Sales Manager, and also Sales Representative for Wild West’s largest customers which included National Park Concessioners and WalMart. The scope of her work included giving the art department direction on new graphic designs and selecting the new designs that would be added to the line offering. She would match, with the assistance from our artists, design graphics with shirt styles and colors to achieve the best offers to our customers. She had an uncanny eye for matching colors of the design with the color of shirts.

Part of her duties included working with outside sales representatives, and preparing their samples. Also, Linda prepared all the shirt samples, set up, and displayed the sales booths at multiple trade shows that Wild West attended throughout the year.

Linda was also the lead sales representative at these trade shows working with the largest and most important customers of Wild West. For ten years, twice a year, she made a trip to Bentonville, Arkansas to present and sell shirts to WalMart .

No job was too trivial or too large for Linda. She started her career printing shirts in the Shirtworks and never gave up printing shirts at Wild West Shirt Company. She loved silk screening shirts. She loved her job.

Linda was deeply involved in every aspect of the company. She always came to work with a smile, a goal, and approached her day with enthusiasm and commitment. She was a self-starter. You never had to tell her what to do. She was not only a superior worker she was creative, artistic, and organized beyond expectations.

She always had the right solution to a problem or condition. She was a positive influence on other employees. Her employee evaluations were direct, unbiased, and level headed. She was respected by all.

No one worked harder than Linda. She always worked until the job was completed. When setting up a new store she would work until 2 or 3 in the morning for the store’s grand opening the following day. Linda approached her job each day as if she was the owner of the business.

Linda, more than any other individual, was responsible for the success of Wild West Shirt Company. She worked for one company and one boss her entire career. With the sale of Wild West Shirt Company, she chose to retire.

Patty and I, with our family, are eternally grateful and appreciative of having Linda at our side. She was much more than an employee.

Our sincere condolences go out to her son and his family, and her sisters and brother along with their families.

Don Cowles

Founder

Wild West Shirt Company