Donna J. Long

Donna J. Long, 90, Detroit Lakes, MN, died Saturday, December 16 at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes. Donna Joy was born November 21, 1927 in Fargo, ND to Fred and Elva (Petrie) Marshall.   She grew up and attended school in Hawley, MN.  Donna graduated from Murray High School in St. Paul, MN.  After high school she worked for Montgomery Wards in St. Paul for several years.  On October 15, 1949 Donna was united in marriage to Hugh Long at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Iowa.   While Hugh was stationed with the Army, they lived in various bases throughout the United States.  Hugh and Donna moved back to Detroit Lakes.    They continued building and finished the home they started before Hugh’s military assignments.  Donna immediately became active at First Baptist Church in Detroit Lakes where she was a member for over 70 years.  During this time, she was a Sunday school teacher, church treasurer, Deaconess, participated in the choir, assisted baptismal services, mission trips and helped in the kitchen.  Donna worked as a dental hygienist for EG Olson.  Once Hugh started Long’s Electric, Donna worked side by side with Hugh until they sold the business in 1974.  Donna kept herself busy working as an in store demonstrator for Warehouse Foods and County Market. She enjoyed doing this for 20 plus years.  In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing, crocheting, reading, raising horses and playing the piano along with attending her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities.  Hugh passed away on May 22, 2011.  Donna is survived by one son: Brian (Angie) Long of Farson, WY, one daughter:  Donna-Jean (Thomas) Johansson of Detroit Lakes, three grandchildren:  Lucinda (Chris) Moore of Detroit Lakes, MN, Brandon (Josie) Long of Farson, WY and Ashley Johansson of Bemidji, MN along with six great-grandchildren:  Rylee, Leslie and Aricka Moore, Braydon and Bree Long and Silas Bryant.  She is preceded in death by her mother, Elva Peterson and Step-Father Arthur Peterson, her husband Hugh (2011), one great-grandson:  Liam Moore along with two sisters: Dorothy and Patricia, and two brothers:  Cliff and Rich.