Leslie R. Long

Leslie Robert Long, 86, of Red Wing, formerly of Elmwood, Wis. died Saturday January 24, 2015 at the Red Wing Health Center. He was born January 15, 1929 in Des Moines, Iowa to Earl and Vera (née Ferguson) Long. He attended school in Des Moines and in 1946 he moved to Mazeppa to live on his parent’s new farm. In 1949 he joined the U. S. Army. He served for 4 years in Korea in the 68 AAA Gun Battalion. In 1950 he married Gloria Grossback and the couple had one son, Robert. Gloria passed away in 1957. On June 5, 1959, he married Elaine Johnson at St. John’s in Minneolia. Following his honorable discharge he worked numerous jobs including road construction, truck driving, heavy equipment operator and agricultural sales but most of his life, he farmed. He was a lifelong, active WELS member. Leslie was involved in many veterans’ organizations. He was the founder and commander of DAV Pierce County, Commander of AMVETs, a life time member of the VFW, American Legion, DAV, 40 and 8’s and AMVETs. He began and organized numerous reunions for the 68 AAA Gun Battalion. He also served on the Elmwood school board for 6 years and held offices in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Elmwood. Les enjoyed fishing and hunting, playing cards and bingo. He was a skilled gardening and did his own canning. Les loved to travel and visited 28 states with his Battalion reunions. Most of all, Les loved his family and enjoyed spending time talking with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine; sons Robert (Deb) of Johnson City, Tenn., Alfred (Karen Sommerfield) of Mazeppa; daughters, Beverly Long of Plum City, Wis. and JoAnn (Patrick) Hilleshiem of Goodhue; grandchildren, Xena Long of Johnson City, Tenn., Amber Hilleshiem of Goodhue, Lee (Tami) Hilleshiem of Pine Island, Leslie (Amanda) Hilleshiem of Zumbrota, Bradley Hilleshiem of West Concord and Alicia Hilleshiem of Big Horn, Wyo.; five great-grandchildren; siblings, Betty Grossback of Mazeppa, Marjorie Friese of Des Moines, Iowa, Leonard (Shirley) of Bluff City, Tenn. and Larry (Linda) of Cordon, Iowa; in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Gloria; grandson, Zachary Long, five siblings and his parents.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Thursday, January 29, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Red Wing with Rev. Martin Wagner officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to church services. Burial will take place at a later date. Military Honors provided by the Leo C. Peterson American Legion, Post 54. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com