Frank Raymond Long

Frank R. Long, 85, of Pella, formerly of Dakota City, passed away July 7, 2015 at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella, Iowa. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Humboldt with the Rev. Dr. Gary Kinkel and Rev. Gene Broughton officiating. Interment will be in Holmes Lutheran Cemetery, Holmes, with full military honors by the Adams American Legion Post 119 and Sathers-Odgaard VFW Post 5240. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt.
Frank Raymond Long, the son of Raymond Franklin Dunkleberger Long and Minnie Beatrice (Thompson) Long, was born April 8, 1930 in the family home in Boone Township, Wright County. Frank, an only child, attended Country School Boone #6 through the 7th grade and graduated from Renwick Independent School in 1948. Following his education he farmed with his dad for two years.
Frank Joined the Marines Corps in 1951 and served in the Korean War with the First Marine Division. He was Honorably discharged in 1953 having received the U.N. ribbon with three battle stars. While in the Marine Corps he took classes in farm management.
On April 3, 1955, Frank was united in marriage to Arlet Eunice Cherland at the Nazareth Lutheran Church in Armstrong, IA. The couple made their home in the rural Goldfield area and Frank returned to farming from 1953 to 1960. In 1962 the family moved to Humboldt and Frank worked in heavy construction as a foreman and pipe layer from 1960 to 1980 when he left his position due to cancer.
In 1989, they moved to Dakota City. Frank served as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Iowa Department of Human Services from 1983 to 2010. Mrs. Long passed away in July of 1999 and in 2011, Frank moved to Pella to be closer to his daughter.
Frank was baptized in the Holmes Lutheran Church and confirmed in St. John’s Lutheran Church at Kanawha. He was a Member of the Trinity Lutheran Church at Hardy for 40 years where he held many positions. In 2000, he became a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and attended Peace Lutheran Church from 2011 to present. He served as a Synod Board Member and was very active in church activities including attending the church wide assembly in Orlando and serving as a Sunday School Teacher for many years.
Frank served, as an UDMO board member beginning in 1983, was a Stephens Minister, served on the board of CARES, Thrivent County Chapter, and County Payee Board and was a member of the Hunger Task Force. Frank and Arlet were widely known for their Arfranklet’s Jams and Jellies, and he took great pride in his Church work and his family.
Frank received numerous Governor Volunteer Awards and was a member The Governors Hall of Fame. He was also the recipient of the Kiwanis’ award, Lion’s Award, Rotary Award, and the Chamber Award twice.
Frank is survived by his children, Alan Frank Long of Seagrove, NC, Hollis “Holly” (Doug) DeWolf of Pella, and Calvin Charles Long of Iowa City; grandchildren, April Long, Ariel Long, Jacob Long, Elizabeth DeWolf and Sarah DeWolf; great-grandchildren, Jareth, Fenix, and Draven; as well as his cat, Chewbacca. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Arlet; and his son, Robert R. Long on March 25, 1983 while serving in the Peace Corps in Liberia, Africa.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pella Food Shelf and/or the Humboldt Food Pantry.