Donnis Ione DeLong
Donnis Ione DeLong (81) of Durand, WI died Monday, July 23, 2018 at The Neighbors of Dunn County in Menomonie, WI. She was born August 17, 1936 in Pierce County, WI; daughter of Johley and Alice (Snider) Hoyt.
Donnis graduated from Elmwood High School, the first daughter in the family to graduate from High School.
On September 4, 1954 she married Arthur DeLong at Grainge Hall.
She was a cook for the Head Start programs in Plum City and Ellsworth for a total of 12 years. Donnis took pride in cooking healthy meals and seeing the students everyday. Previous to that, she was a teacher’s assistant at the 7th day Adventist school.
Donnis was an avid lover of cooking, especially her homemade breads, soups, and pancakes. She enjoyed gardening, bird watching, and listening to the whippoorwills from her deck. Donnis made quilts for everyone, always enjoying the challenge of a new pattern. She worked on crossword puzzles and loved reading, especially to her grandchildren, which was evident by her extensive library. Donnis was fond of seashells and dream catchers, decorating her home with both. She collected spoons from around the country and world, and took pride in displaying them for all to see. Donnis loved music, most notably Christian and country western.
She is survived by her husband Arthur, of Durand; six children, Dawn DeLong, Darwin (Annette) DeLong, Debra (Tom) O’Keefe, Darla DeLong, Adam DeLong, and Alan (Tonya) DeLong; 17 grandchildren, Beth (Tyler), Corey (Samantha), Troy (Allison), Amber (Tony), Luke (Ivy), TJ, Travis (Kayla), Crystal (Brandon), Justin, Damon (Janine), Brittany (Tom), Gunner, Trinity, Dakota, Dylan, Taylin, and Ela; 20 great grandchildren, Leo, Austin, Lexi, Brayden, Lyla, Beau, Brett, Coye, Griffen, Beckham, Christian, Harlen, Haisley, Kadin, Avery, Zac, Silahs, Findlay, Xander, and Danny; Sisters, Luann Wood (Arnie Anderson), Arla (Durwood) Scholz, Opal Larson; brothers, Eldon (Linda) Hoyt, Delton (Sue) Hoyt, Denton (Donna) Hoyt; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Johley and Alice (Snider) Hoyt; son David; son-in-law, Timothy Birtzer; siblings, Elgie, Virgil, Orville, Verla, Elaine, and a sister in infancy.
A Celebration of Life was held Thursday, July 26, 2018 from noon-3pm at the Legion Hall (aka the Old Ben Franklin), Main Street, Durand. Goodrich Funeral Home in Durand is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Durand Public Library to purchase children’s books in memory of Donn.
