Linda K. Tolton, 46, of Atlantic, Iowa, began her journey with God in Heaven Wednesday, January 21, 2009, after a 6 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She fought with Faith, Hope, Strength, and Courage.

Linda Kay Christensen was born on November 1, 1962, in Swenden, England. She was the second of three daughters born to Merrill Dean and Donna (Bivens) Christensen. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa, and continued her faith attending the Evangelical Free Church. Linda attended public schools in Atlantic, graduating from AHS in 1980.

In her previous marriage, she had two precious sons, Aaron Eugene and Adam Gregory Weppler. Linda then met her soul mate, Kenneth John Tolton in February 1995. Ken and Linda were united in marriage on September 16, 1996, in Markdale, Ontario Canada. They were blessed with a wonderful son, Matthew John Tolton.

Everyone that knew Linda will remember her infectious laughter, her beautiful smile, her zest for life, and her ability to give selflessly to family and friends. Some of her cherished times involved worldly travels, Thursday nights with the girls, a poker game wherever it was found, golfing, boating, fishing, watching tennis matches and the special times spent together in the company of her family. Linda's working career involved being co-owner of Duke Aerial Inc. in Atlantic, Iowa, for the past eight years, helping the company grow into the flourishing business it is today. The things that mattered most to Linda were being a Mother, a Sister, a Best friend and Soul Mate.

Linda is survived by her husband, Ken of Atlantic, Iowa; her children, Aaron, age 24, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Adam, age 21, of Iowa City, Iowa, and Matthew, age 11, of Atlantic, Iowa; her sisters, Edie Bettinger and her husband, Ron of Olathe, Kansas, and Debbie Theulen and her husband, Ty of Kingman, Arizona; her father-in-law, Stan Tolton, and her mother-in-law, Sue Tolton, both of Southampton, Ontario. Linda was a special aunt to her niece and nephews, Shandee Marie Theulen of Kingman, Arizona, Wesley James Theulen of Anchorage, Alaska, Dillon Robert Bettinger and Austin Dean Bettinger, both of Olathe, Kansas.

She was welcomed into heaven by her father, Merrill Dean Christensen; her mother, Donna Mae Ballard; her maternal grandparents, Arthur and Helen Bivens; her paternal grandparents, Irene and Ernest Christensen, and other aunts and uncles.

A funeral service and celebration of Linda's life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 26, 2009, at the Evangelical Free Church in Atlantic, Iowa, with Pastor Donald McLean officiating.

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, January 25, 2009, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, with family present to greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Burial will be at the Brighton Township Cemetery in Marne, Iowa. Please join us for a time of lunch and memories at the Cass County Community Center, 805 West 10th Street in Atlantic.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Linda's name for Pancreatic Cancer Research: University of Nebraska Foundation Linda Tolton Pancreatic Cancer Fund, 2285 S 67th Street, Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68106.






(Source: Atlantic Telegraph)