Patricia J. Long

Patricia J. Long, 84, formerly of Whitten, currently residing at the Southridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, died there Friday, April 1, 2011. Funeral services for Patricia will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 6, at the Whitten Community Church. Burial will follow services at the Benson Cemetery. Visitation for Patricia will be held from 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 5, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home where her family will be present to greet friends. Memorial contributions may be directed in Patricias name to Iowa River Hospice. For further information or to send a condolence please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Patricia and her family.Patricia was born January 28, 1927, in Marshalltown, Iowa the daughter of William and Inez Hilma (Gull) Gersdorf. She was raised and educated in Marshalltown and graduated from the Marshalltown High School. On October 16, 1950 at Omaha, Nebraska, Patricia was united in marriage to H. Dwight Long Sr. Following their marriage they made their home in Whitten for a short time and then moved to an acreage east of Whitten where she raised their family.Throughout her lifetime Patricia worked at Britnals, Scott Tent and Awning during World War II, Montgomery Wards, Younkers and the Wolfe Eye Clinic. Patricia worked with the Wolfe Eye Clinic for over thirty years at the time of her retirement. During her free time, Patricia enjoyed playing cards, gardening, reading, horses and dancing with her husband Dwight. She was a member of the Whitten Community Church and Bridge Clubs.Patricia is survived by her children: H. Dwight Long Jr. (Melanie), of Marshalltown, Douglas W. Long of Conrad, Cyndy Sue Long of Conrad, her sister-in-law Dorothy Gersdorf of Grinnell,her sisterJoan (Charlie) Kellogg of Marshalltown, her grandson Bryce Douglas Long of Eldora, her stepgrandchildren: Trever Braet of Marshalltown and Jessica Kelley of Eldora, and several nieces and nephews. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents William and Inez, her husband H. Dwight Long Sr. and her brothers Larry and Donald.