Edith Eleanor Long
July 12, 1915 ~ June 8, 2009
Long, Edith Eleanor, 93, teacher and homemaker, died Monday, June 8, 2009. Service, 10:00 A.M., Monday, June 15, Downing Lahey Mortuary West followed by a graveside service at 2:00 P.M., Walnut Hill Cemetery in Kingman. Edith was the first child born to Dr. Charles and Mamie Longnecker in Kingman, Kansas on July 12, 1915. She graduated from Kingman High School, attended Ottawa University and graduated from Wichita State University. She enjoyed teaching 4th grade in Andover for many years. On June 12, 1937, she married Forrest E. Long from Wellington. They settled in Wichita in 1950, and traveled for his REA job every summer. She loved traveling! Her last trip saw her wading in the Pacific at age 89. Both Forrest and Edith attended First Baptist Church then became charter members of Old Manor Baptist Church where Edith continued as a member until the congregation disbanded. She belonged to Eastern Star, DAR and NEA. She was a great teacher, loving mother and adventurous traveler. Her long life was a testimony of faith, humor and love, and she will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by husband, Forrest, and brothers, Dan and Charles. She is survived by sisters, Nancy Lamb of Prairie Village, and Marjorie Johnson of Topeka; children, Judy Jones (Duane) of Wichita and Charles Long (Mary Sue) of Overland Park; grandsons, David Hoelscher (Meng Chuaw) of San Diego, CA, Mark Hoelscher (Elaine Schmidt) of Shorewood, WI, Brian Long of Aspen CO, Brad Long, M.D. of Auburn, ME; great-granddaughters, Rachel and Rebekah Hoelscher of San Diego, CO.
Graveside service, 2:00 P.M., Monday, June 15, Walnut Hill Cemetery, Kingman, KS
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I remember our trips as children to Kansas to see our Aunts & Grandparents. Aunt Edith and Uncle Forrest were always so welcoming and loving. I also remember that Aunt Edith and Uncle Forrest traveled to New England to visit us. That was a TREAT! I especially enjoyed hearing Aunt Edith play the piano. She loved music and reading, but most of all, she loved people, especially children. She was so gracious and loving and will be greatly missed by all of us.
I have memories of Aunt Edith going back to our family visits in Kansas and Minnesota over fifty years ago. My Dad, Dan, was the second-oldest of the five Longenecker children, born two years after Edith. Edith continued to be close to and interested in her extended family all of her life. In her later years she continued to be part of the family Round Robin letters, a tradition going back at least 50 years. Our Grandmother Mamie encouraged all of the children to read and to educate themselves. Edith certainly carried on in her mothers tradition, an inspiration to all of us to be lifelong learners. I thank you, Aunt Edith, for your loving contributions to our family and to education. Yours was a long life well lived.
I feel sympathy for all of Mrs. Long’s survivors. The only relatives that I know are Charles and Judy, and since I am unable to attend the funeral tomorrow I want you to know how sorry I am for your loss.Seeing your mother’s obituary has brought back so many memories from when Charles and I were childhood friends living across the street from each other. I have nothing but happy memories of the Long family from going fishing and finding box turtles near Kingman to going to Albert Lea and staying with them after they had moved there. Charles and I had a great time riding bicycles into town and buying more fishing necessities to use in the lake behind their house. Never was there a finer family.
Charlie, Sorry to hear about your Mom. Now I know where you and your sons got all that ‘adventure’ spirit. A great lady. I’m in Dallas or I would be there Monday. Hope your immediate family is well.
My earliest recollection of our Aunt Edith is of her playing the piano for the family as we all sang Christmas carols at the end of Thanksgiving Day. Edith at the piano was an essential part of our annual gathering. I remember her being warm, caring and interested in me as a child (she really knew how to talk to children!) When I was grown, she showed the same interest in my children, and always remembered everything about them. We shared an interest in birdwatching, and I used to see her with our uncle Forrest at all the Audubon lectures when I lived in Wichita. We were so touched by her care of Forrest when he was confined to a wheelchair and still living in their home. She was a great lady who brought so much good into the world.
I remember Mrs. Long from elementary school in Andover. She was a wonderful lady. I remember the time she went up to Alaska and came back with some Alaskan fuzzy boots. Everyone loved them and she let kids take turns with them. She had the biggest heart ever and was such a boost to the teaching profession. I will never forget how loving she was.