Obituary for Ed Long

Ed "Lefty" Long, 84, of Algona passed away Sunday morning September 7th, 2008 at the Kossuth Regional Health Center. A Funeral mass for Ed will be held on Thursday, September 11th at 10:30 AM at St. Cecelia''s Catholic Church in Algona, IA. Father Edward Girres will be officiating. Visitation will be at 9:30 AM at St. Cecelia''s Catholic Church with burial rites following the funeral mass at the Cavalry Cemetery. A lunch will be served at the Rochleau Center at the St. Cecelia''s School. Ed was born to Ivan and Jessie (Holding) Long on April 20th, 1924 in Swea City, IA. He attended and graduated from Burt schools. Ed entered the United States Navy in 1944 and was given honorable discharge in 1947. On May 6th, 1947 he married Betty Stoffel at St. Cecelia''s Catholic Church in Algona, IA. They made their home in Algona, farming and raising their family. Ed (Lefty) Long played baseball for several years as a pitcher in a traveling league. He was an avid Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs fan. He was also a fan of the Minnesota Vikings back to the day of the "purple people eaters". Ed enjoyed playing golf when his health allowed and also liked watching it on TV, especially when Tiger Woods was playing. Ed''s personality, infectious laugh, and his wit will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Betty, of Algona; seven children, Dennis Long of Bennet, CO., Donald and Sandy (Graham) Long of Whittemore, IA., Kay Long of Mason City, IA., Mark and Susie (Becker) Long of Faulkton, S.D., June (Long) and Terry Haxton of Mason City, IA., Richard and Tina (Lamuth) Long of Plymouth, WI, and Laurie Long of Algona, IA. Also surviving are his sisters, Violet Plemel of Ringsted, IA., Marilyn Erting of Waterford, MI., Dorothy Sheirbon of Burt, IA., and Harriet Ward of Shady Cove, OR. Ed was especially proud of having 22 grandchildren and 23 1/2 great-grandchildren. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Jessie (Holding) Long and his brothers, Howard, Cecil, and Harold. The family would like to extend a special "Thanks" to the Hospice of the Heartland, Kossuth Regional Health Center, Dr. Burt Bottjen, emergency responders, Community Health, Father Girres, Deacon Bob, and Minnowa Medical Supply. Online condolences may be left for the Long family by clicking on "Sign Guestbook" below.