Helen B Long

Helen Berniece Long, age 83, of Coon Rapids passed away at her home on Friday, February 22, 2008 surrounded by her family. Born on August 20, 1924 she was the daughter of Earl and Grace (Hobbs) Cretsinger. She was a lifelong resident of the Coon Rapids area graduating from Coon Rapids High School in 1941. She received normal training in high school then went on the State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls. After college she taught country school in Orange Township, Viola Center, and at Old Carrollton. Helen and Earl “Shorty” Long were united in marriage on August 15, 1951 at the First Christian Church in Coon Rapids. Helen taught elementary school in Coon Rapids until 1964, when she retired from teaching to be a full time homemaker, mother and farmwife until 1978 when the couple left the farm and moved into Coon Rapids. Then she undertook another career at the Garst Seed Lab where she worked until 2003. Helen was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church in Coon Rapids where she served as a deaconess. She was also a member of Eastern Star holding several offices. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, embroidering, playing cards, watching her children and grandchildren play sports, and watching Hawkeye and Cyclone basketball on television. She also tuned into the CR-B games on the radio. Helen was given loving care by the following Hospice nurses whom her family considers angels who came into their life: Amy, Peg, Sarah, Janiece, Judy, and Jane. Surviving are her husband Earl “Shorty” Long of Coon Rapids; two daughters Gayla Ann McCool and her husband Jeff of Bayard and Patricia “Patty” Ann Dorpinghaus and her husband Kevin of Coon Rapids; two grandchildren: Katie Ann Mason and her husband Ben of St. Louis, Missouri, and Mark Allen McCool of Bayard; a great granddaughter Madison Ann Mason; a sister Eleanor Yager of Coon Rapids, a sister Geneva Schreck of Coon Rapids, a brother Kenneth Cretsinger and his wife Dorothy of Washington; and a brother-in-law Fred Long and his wife Evelyn of Coon Rapids. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. Preceding Helen in death were her parents, a brother in infancy, a sister Arlene Vetterick and her husband Irvin, a sister-in-law Vera Russ, a sister-in-law Kathryn Herbert and her husband Robin, a brother-in-law Don Schreck, and a brother-in-law Clare Yager. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, February 25, 2008 at the First Christian Church in Coon Rapids with Rev. Ben Ramirez officiating. Eulogist will be Katie Mason. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 A.M. until the time of service on Monday. Organist for the service will be Lois Shirbroun and the soloist will be Deb Kult. Casket bearers will be Jeff McCool, Mark McCool, Ben Mason, Kevin Dorpinghaus, Fred Long Jr., and Phil Engelson. Burial will be at Orange Township Cemetery near Coon Rapids. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Johnson and Woodhouse Funeral Home of Coon Rapids.