Elmer S. Long

Elmer S. Long, age 97, of Brainerd, passed away on Jan. 31, 2013, at Bethany Good Samaritan Society in Brainerd.

He was born in Clyde, N.D., to Simon and Minnie Long on Aug. 9, 1915. Elmer worked in the Duluth shipyard during World War II installing asbestos in the Navy’s ships. He then worked many years for Louis Hostager’s gun shop on Front Street. Elmer also worked as general manager for Mills Fleet Farm in its beginning across from the old jail on Laurel Street in Brainerd. Next he worked as a builder with his son Larry until retirement at age 65. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfed for 79 years.

He was a lifelong member of the Assemblies of God Church.

He is survived by his children, Diane (Donald) Anderson, of Baxter, Minn., and Larry (Marilyn) Long, of Lake Helen, Fla.; his brother, Willis, of Palm Springs, Calif.; his sister, Audrey Speed, of St. Cloud, Minn.; his sister, Marianne (Ronald) Heisel, of Auburn, Wash.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marjorie (Shipman) Long; and second wife, Mildred (Nell) (Engelhart) Long; and brothers, Harold and Lewis.

A memorial service shall be held in the spring and will be announced in the Brainerd Dispatch.

Serving the family:

Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home, Brainerd, 218-829-3581

www.halvorson-johnson.com