Linda Marie Helton, of Crocker, was born on September 4, 1949, in Burlington, Wisconsin, a daughter of Clifford and Doris (Oldenberg) Knutson, and departed this life at 3:55 p.m., Thursday, October 2, 2014, in the Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis. Mrs. Helton had attained the age of 65 years and 28 days.

Mrs. Helton was united in marriage on October 26, 1982, in Iberia, to Richard Dale Helton, and to this union, five children were born. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Cheryl Mayes.

Mrs. Helton was owner and operator of Crocker Academy Day Care, Crocker. She was a member of the Crocker Chamber of Commerce, the Ozark Youth Sports League and the Crocker Booster Club. She enjoyed baking and reading, but above all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Helton include: her husband, Richard Helton, Crocker; three sons, Joshua Helton, Lake of the Ozarks; Richie Helton, Crocker and Jacob Helton, Lake of the Ozarks; two daughters and one son-in-law, Kari Helton, Ashland and Keli and Michael Allen, Crocker; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Martin and Wanda Knutson, Louisville, Kentucky; Tom and Cindy Knutson, Rochester, Wisconsin and Mike Knutson, Germantown, Wisconsin; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Colleen and Robert Holder, Rochester, Wisconsin; Chris and Dan Rathbone, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin and Peggy and Steve Thorp, Hales Corner, Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Zoie Allen, Gabby Kingsley, Blake Helton and Kairi Helton; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Mrs. Helton at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 8, 2014, in the Crocker Christian Church, with Larry Richardson and Randy Hoffmann, officiating.

In following her wishes, Mrs. Helton will be cremated and the family will have a private scattering of her ashes at a later date.

All arrangements were under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Crocker.