Mary Francis Long

MARY FRANCIS LONG

Crawsfordville

Mary Francis Long, 103, of Crawfordsville and formerly of Olds and Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, peacefully at the Sunrise Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Winfield.

Mary was born on December 22, 1918, the daughter of Anton (Tom) and Margaret (Morgan) Shimak on the family farm one mile north of Fredonia near Columbus Junction. Mary was united in marriage to Donald Fred Long on October 4, 1941. Donald preceded her in death on July 27, 1995, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Growing up on the family farm, Mary was the oldest of five sisters. Mary provided lots of manual labor such as doing chores with incredible strength, determination and perseverance. She was a perfect model of a Christian wife, mother and homemaker to her husband and children. She dearly loved God, her family and ethical values in her children who were her greatest gift. Mary never missed an opportunity to show kindness and compassion to others. Raising and supporting her family was always the highest priority for Mary. She was an excellent cook and baker and made her family's meals from scratch. She was an excellent seamstress and quilter. She enjoyed exchanging and sharing recipes with family, relatives and friends. She enjoyed playing card games such as Skip-Bo and watching game shows on TV. For many years, Mary worked very hard planting, raising and harvesting big gardens of vegetables and fruits, which she used to provide wonderful meals for her beloved family.

Mary is survived by her three children, Marlene (Larry) Watson and Delbert Long of Crawfordsville and Craig (Lynda) Long, of Omaha, Nebraska; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; her daughter-in-law, Mandy Metcalf of Sanibel, Florida; her sister, Louise Harter of Burlington; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Dennis Long; a grandson, Scott Watson; and three sisters, Helen Wagner, Emma Gathman and Bessie Ruess.

Private family burial will be held at the Columbus City Cemetery, at Columbus City, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, cards and memorials may be mailed to the Long Family at 3164 Vine Ave, Crawfordsville, IA 52621.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com.

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant is caring for her arrangements.