Linda Berrett-Thatcher

Linda Heaton Berrett-Thatcher passed away Wednesday, August 27th at home in her husband's arms from a sudden but expected medical event. Linda was born in Panguitch, Utah, November 22, 1946 to Loyd and Alma Heaton of Alton. She is survived by her husband, Terry L. Thatcher, son, Sonn K. Berrett (Becca), grand-children Cobe, Emilee, Zach, Dustin, Adyson, and five great-grandchildren; step-son Christopher Thatcher (Alicia) and step-grandson Brennen Thatcher; sisters Marilyn (Pickard), Anita (Dayton), Dianne (Whipple), Vickie (Farnsworth) and brother, Charles Heaton. A sister, Charlene Barton was previously deceased.
Linda was educated in the Orderville Schools, graduated Cum Laude from USU, and earned her M.S. in Education from SUU. She taught secondary education in eastern Utah, Hurricane, Valley High School, and Valley Elementary School in Orderville for 25 years before retiring in 2003. She is perhaps most famous for teaching her VES students the US Presidents, and Civil War History, and un-officially earning 'my most favorite teacher ever' status from her students.
She married Kent Reed Berrett (later divorced) and in 2002, married Terry L. Thatcher in Orderville. Their love was solemnized in the St. George, Utah LDS Temple in 2003. Linda had always been active in the LDS Church and often served in auxiliary leadership and teaching positions. She served an 'Office Couple mission with her husband in the LDS Canada Halifax Mission in 2012-13. Church service also included 15 years combined service with her husband in the St. George and Halifax LDS Temples.
Her hobbies included gardening, caring for 19 fruit trees on her property, preserving fruit and produce every year. She regularly supported the Kane County Fair and always won ribbons and awards with her home-canned items. Linda loved books and built a wonderful collection in her private library and for years collected Caldecott Honors books which her students enjoyed reading. Having majored in Home Economics at USU and taught Home Economics in high schools for five years, she loved quilting, and could 'do anything' with a sewing machine.
Linda will also be remembered for always loving to 'share the fruits of her kitchen and garden with many Orderville and Alton residents. She always loved visits with her grandchildren who came to visit. They always begged permission to 'go shop-ping' in Linda's storehouse of canned fruits and veggies. Her banana nut bread and zucchini cakes are legend in Orderville.
Linda loved giving service in the LDS Temple for her ancestors and enjoying her five sisters and one brother, her nieces and nephews, and most, of course, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Linda truly is a choice, special daughter of our Heavenly Father. She loved giving service to all around her and it was often said of her that she was one of the most loving, caring, sharing, and service-oriented daughters Heaven ever produced. Linda, you are cherished, beloved, and will greatly be missed until we meet again through Jesus Christ.
Funeral services will be held Friday, September 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the Orderville Utah LDS Chapel, with viewing from 10-10:45 AM before the service. Burial will be in the Alton Utah Cemetery at 2:00 PM the same day. Services were arranged with Mosdell Mortuary.