September 24, 1925 – March 21, 2022

VERNE EVERETT LONG was born on September 24, 1925, to Samuel and Florence (Dingler) Long in Pipestone, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm in Grange Township, Pipestone County. He attended 1st through 8th grade at District 16 Country School, a quarter mile from their home. He then attended Pipestone High School, graduating in 1942. While attending high school he participated in debate, track and field, and football. On March 21, 1948, he was united in marriage to Wilma Deen Watts at the First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone. The couple lived on his boyhood farm for 65 years until they moved to a home in Pipestone in 2013. Their farm was Verne’s home for just one day shy of 88 years. Wilma Deen preceded Verne in death on March 29, 2016. In July 2021, Verne became a resident of the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone where he resided until his death on Monday, March 21, 2022, at the age of 96 years.

Verne was a member of Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone where he was a lay leader and speaker, a member of the Board of Trustees and the Administrative Board. Verne was an active person. He loved being a part of many organizations and groups. From 1989 to 1994 he served on the Pipestone County Extension Board. He was a member of the Pipestone Current Events Club, the First Farmers and Merchants Board (over 40 years), Grange Township government, the Pipestone County Historical Society, Republican Party politics, and a lifelong member of Farm Bureau. He also represented Pipestone and neighboring counties in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1963-1974. Other notable service included serving on the Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Board (1991-1995) and the University of Minnesota Board of Regents (1981-1987). Verne enjoyed photography and also followed the Vikings, Gophers, and Pipestone Arrows.

He was a 75 year member of the Masonic fraternity, starting at Quarry Lodge No. 148 in Pipestone and later Lake Wilson Lodge No. 262. He served in many capacities in Freemasonry and was appointed to the Grand Lodge of Minnesota progressive line in 1963 by Grand Master Harvard Olson. Verne went on to serve as Grand Master of Masons in Minnesota from 1973-1974.

Verne is lovingly remembered by his three children, Judith Anne (John) Oldemeyer of Holland, Minnesota, Kathryn Jo (Grant) Lillevold of Northfield, Minnesota, and James Douglas Long of Pipestone, Minnesota; nine grandchildren, Michael Oldemeyer, Karen (David) Abrahamson, Erin (Casey) Bailey, John (Nicole Oachs) Mayberry, Laura (Jay) Zender, Parker Widmann, Samuel Long, Greyson Long and Sinclair Long; nine great-grandchildren, Cole, Noah and Connor Abrahamson, Carter and Davis Bailey, Aveya and Livia Mayberry, and Eleanor and Edison Zender; and his faithful dog, Missy. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Deen Long; his parents; sister, Helen (Earl) Perkins; and brother, Donald (Flora) Long.

Funeral details can be found at Hartquist Funeral.