Gloria Long, mother of 7, grandmother of 20, and great grandmother of 31, won her battle with dementia when she passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2023.
Gloria was born on April 8, 1931, to Dan and Mollie Sader, in north Wichita County. She grew up in the Wichita County community and lived her entire life in Leoti. If asked she would say she never wanted to live anywhere else.
Gloria met Jim Long while working at the dress shop in Leoti, and they married on September 16, 1950. They would go on to be married 61 years and were blessed with 7 children. Jim had a trucking business and after raising the children, Gloria opened the local fabric store, The Sewing Box, with her long time friend Marge Elder. After all the children graduated from WCHS, and the fabric store closed, Gloria filled her time quilting and playing bridge as well as volunteering at the community thrift store and working in the kitchen at the WC Long Term Care center. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and the local quilt guild. She loved having her children and grandchildren visit and they loved it when she would make her famous fried chicken, fritters and bierocks. She made life fun and wonderful for all of them.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jim, brother Charles Sader, brother Roger Gee, son-in-law Larry Appel and daughter-in-law Sandy Long.
She is survived by son Steve (Patricia) Garden City, daughter Bonnie Appel, Tennessee, daughter Mary (Neal) Mazer, Albuquerque, son Jim (Jeanne) Long, Houston, son Todd (Diana) Long, Leoti, daughter Lori (Eric) Batman, Tennessee and son Roger Long, Colorado. Also surviving are 20 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and brother-in-law Hugh(Judy) Long, Newton.
Memorial services will be Friday April 21, 2023, at 10:30 at the United Methodist Church, pastor Tod Anthony officiating. There will be a luncheon at the church following the graveside services at the Leoti cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be written to the Wichita County Long Term Care Center.
There will be no visiting hours.