God called Fern Long home on May 9, 2017, just 16 days before her 102nd birthday.
She was born Fern D. Kasson on May 25, 1915, in Johnson County, Mo. to John A. and Dora L (Burford) Kasson. The family moved near Baldwin, Ks. when she was 8 years old. She grew up in Douglas County, Ks.
She met and married Raymond E. Long, the love of her life, on January 25, 1933, in the Baptist parsonage in Lawrence. To this union 4 children were born: Ann (Long) Hayes, John Long, William Long, and Mary (Long) Beem.
Survivors are John Long, San Antonio, and Mary Beem of Eudora, 8 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren and one on the way. Many nieces and nephews also survive, as well as cherished friends.
Preceding her in death were her husband Ray, daughter, Ann & husband Duane, son Bill & wife Betty, daughter-in-law Becky, son-in-law Marvin Beem, grandchildren Matthew Beem and Suzi Long, and grandson-in-law Steve Watson. She was also preceded in death by her parents and all seven of her brothers.
Fern was instrumental in helping start the Eudora P.T.A., the Eudora 4-H Club, the Eudora Historical Society, and the Eudora Museum. She spent hundreds of hours editing the Eudora History Book.
She worked at the Eudora Cash hardware owned by the Long and Miner families, and wrote for the Eudora News for many years. She was a member of the Eudora Methodist Church and taught Sunday School there for 70 years. Fern was the ultimate prayer warrior!
She loved gardening, quilting, genealogy, baking, history, and children. She had a vibrant and personal relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and so we know she is now walking on streets of gold.
Visitation will be held Monday, May 15 at the Eudora Baptist Church, 525 W. 20th St., Eudora, from 6:30-8:30 pm, and the funeral will be Tuesday, May 16 at 10:00 am also at the Eudora Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Eudora United Methodist Church or the Eudora Historical Society or Museum, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044.
