Mary Lou Long

Mary Louise (Ploeger) Long, 86, of Lenora, Kansas was born November 14, 1930 to John and Amelia (Graf) Ploeger. She was the first child in the family of six beautiful girls. She passed away Thursday morning, February 16, 2017, in the Norton County Hospital, surrounded by her family. Growing up in the heart of Kansas, Mary Lou lived with her family near St. Peter before moving to the town of Studley in 1946. As a young girl, Mary Lou attended school in Morland and Lenora, Kansas. Mary Lou was united in marriage to Ernest Adolph Long, September 7, 1948, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, New Almelo, Kansas. To this union ten children were born: Linda Louise, Dennis Joseph, Saundra Susan, Patty Elaine, Mary Barbara, Jacqueline Rene, Shelia Catherine, Jolene Inez, Samantha Ann, and Jan Michael. The Long Family resided one mile north of New Almelo, Kansas from 1948 to 1966, before moving to Lenora. Her life was devoted to her family, her community, and her church. Working in the Lenora area, Mary Lou served the community through preparing delicious meals at Karen’s Café, the Lenora School District, and the Sale Barn. Her passion for cooking enabled her to create a fruitful career where she became an integral part of the Lenora Community. Mary Lou cherished the rewarding experience of sharing a meal with her family and her friends. In addition to her culinary skills, Mary Lou served as a daycare provider in the school system and at her home. Mary Lou enjoyed the company of her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren, and cherished the days when her home was filled with love and laughter. As a self-taught musician, Mary Lou enjoyed playing the organ and the piano, and often played at home entertaining her family. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two sisters: Rosa Doris Horton and Viola Scott; and two grandchildren: Barbara Childers and Cody Durbin. Those left to cherish her memory are her eight daughters: Linda Appleby, Dallas, Texas, Saundra Durbin, Mission, Patricia Wilson, Norton, Mary and husband Dan Childers, Des Moines, Iowa, Jackie Lynd, Great Bend, Sheila Rhodes, Oberlin, Jolene and husband David Porter, Allyn, Washington, Samantha and husband LaRoyce Brown, Norton; two sons: Dennis Long, Dodge City and Jan Long, Lenora; 26 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren; three sisters: JoAnne Martin, Zurich, Leona Washburn, Hoxie, and Millie Jean Stillwell and husband Mike, Marysville; and many other relatives and friends. Mary Lou was the heart and soul of her family. Her love and support will be remembered for many years to come. Those we love can never be more than a thought apart; for as long as there is a memory they will live on in our hearts. Mary Lou will be deeply missed, but her light and her laughter will forever be a part of the lives she touched.