Mary Louise Long ~ March 23, 1920 - October 23, 2011

Mary Louise (Lou) Long of Hysham, Montana passed away on October 23, 2011 in Billings, Montana.

Mary Lou was born to Ralph and Nellie Parish on March 23, 1920 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mary Lou is survived by her daughter Charlene Trinnaman (Lee) of California, her Brother in law Charles Long (Carol) of Huntley, Montana, Sister in law Mary Ann Reuter (Don) of Great Falls, Montana and Cousin Karen K. Hecht Johnson (Charles) of Des Moines, Iowa.
She is also survived by her 3 Grandchildren William Trinnaman (Kathleen) of Oroville, CA, Karl Trinnaman (Brandy) of Zachary, Louisiana, Mark Trinnaman (Rebekah) of El Dorado, Arkansas and 3 great grandchildren, Lauren, Jenae, and Ayva Trinnaman of Zachary, Louisiana and 14 nieces and nephews that live in Montana and Iowa.

Mary Lou was raised and attended school in Des Moines, Iowa. She once wrote that she attended high school at Lincoln High which was on the South side of Des Moines. She said the principal was all about academics and it didn’t hurt any of them. Their sports team, she said, was terrible.

In 1960, she married the love of her life, Lee Roy Long. Lee’s work and their adventurous lifestyle led them to live in many locations. However, they bought a home and settled in Hysham, Montana where they spent their final years together.

While in Hysham, Mary Lou worked for the Hysham Echo as an advertising agent and journalist. She loved the use of electric typewriters but was heard to say that computers took all the fun out of a job. Mary loved living in Hysham. One of her favorite daily adventures was her trip to the Post Office. She had an abundant love for the community and she had many friends that she left behind.

Mary loved the great outdoors. In the final days of her life, she noted how much she missed being able to be out in the country side. While she could have lived with family in California, she said that she loved Montana too much to leave it.

Mary was a great letter writer, a great cook, a loving and devoted wife, a wonderful mom and a beautiful friend. We will miss her dearly until we meet again.

Mary was a morning person and as such it is only fitting that her memorial service will be held at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth, Montana on November 4, 2011 at 11:00 o’clock in the morning. Private burial will follow later. Print this post