A Celebration of Industry Icon Linda Buettner, Co-Founder of The Paper Ranch
An industry icon and leader in specialty paper has passed away.
On Aug. 11, 2023, Linda L. Buettner, co-founder of The Paper Ranch, died at the age of 72. Linda and her husband, J. Michael Buettner, started what would eventually become The Paper Ranch in their home. As business flourished, they ran out of room in their home and made the decision to move to Oklahoma where they opened The Paper Ranch storefront.
“My mother started selling paper when I was a child — she worked for Richard Lewis Paper company,” recalls her son, Nick Buettner. Nick, who currently works for Imaging Supplies Warehouse as the director of business development, adds that at that time, it was rare for women to work in paper sales. “She was honest and hardworking and it paid off. Eventually Richard Lewis sold to Gould Paper. It was at this point my mother joined our industry.”
But The Paper Ranch wasn’t immediately born — that would come later. Nick explains that she first went to work for Wynstone Specialty Products, where she worked her way up to president. “Shortly after the closing of Wynstone, we were asked by customers and vendors alike to get back into the distribution side of the business,” he says. “This was the birth of The Paper Ranch.”
In 2003, The Paper Ranch officially opened for business, and in 2006, it became a storefront in Oklahoma City. Throughout the years in business, Linda inspired both family and friends in the industry.
“I met Linda about 20 years ago when I was the director of sales at Sawgrass Technologies,” says Chris Bernat, general manager – North America & Caribbean, MS Printing Solutions and JK Group. “From the very start you could tell Linda cared about the industry and doing things the fair and right way. Linda is one of the only people I ever met in my life who didn’t have anything bad to say about anyone. She personified the Golden Rule.”
It’s the same inspiration that her son Nick says motivated him to stay in the industry. “She led with kindness, and it was most often reciprocated,” he says of her interactions with people both at the shop and on the road. “She inspired people in many different ways. Some were inspired by her knowledge and the fact that she led our team with integrity and ran the business with honesty. Others were inspired by her perseverance to succeed. Most were inspired by her unwavering kindness.
“My mother was an incredible businesswoman, she was a fantastic mother and mentor, she was an amazing person,” says Nick. “Through the good times and bad, I was truly blessed to have been able to work alongside my mom.”
Linda is survived by her husband, Michael; sons, Nicholas (Ashley), Michael Trent (Neesha); grandchildren, Kylie (15), Khloe (12), Nicholas (11), Bentley (9), Grace (12), Elaina (10), and Samuel (5).
Services were held on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, at River Ridge Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Misericordia Home at www.misericordia.com or Moody Bible Institute at www.moody.edu would be greatly appreciated by Linda’s family.
