Frances Emily Long, age 90 of Stapleton, passed away Tuesday May 21, 2013 in North Platte.
Frances was born on December 24, 1922 at a relative’s home near Arnold, NE to Alfred and Anna A. (Patterson) Blevins. During her early years she lived near Stapleton, NE then the family moved to McCook, NE and Oberlin, KS where she attended country schools and her first two years of high school. She finished high school in Stapleton, NE, graduating with the class of 1941. She married Minor P. Miles in North Platte, NE on July 2, 1941 and to this union two sons were born: Dale Rodney and Ray Allen. Minor passed away on August 22, 1943 in Grand Island, NE.
On January 5, 1946 Frances married Emory W. Long in Oberlin, KS. Frances and Emory welcomed Ruth Emily who was born in North Platte, NE. The family settled on a farm in McPherson County, NE and then lived on farms near Gandy, NE. Emory passed away on September 14, 1989 and later that fall Frances moved into her home in Stapleton where she lived until moving to a nursing home in 2009.
Frances enjoyed many crafts, especially crocheting, sewing and quilting. She won several awards at the Logan County Fair. She sewed clothing for the whole family, raised nearly all the family groceries and sold eggs and cream in town to purchase other necessities. Belonging to the First Presbyterian Church, Banner Mother’s Extension Club, Senior Friendship Club, the VFW Women’s Auxiliary and Farm Bureau kept her busy after moving to town. She often played cards with friends and took many sightseeing trips around the United States.
Frances is survived by son Ray (Debbie) Miles of Montrose, CO; daughter Ruth (Dan) Beckius of Stapleton, NE; grandson Rex (Sharon) Miles and great-granddaughters Summer and Erica of Phoenix,AZ; grandson Leroy (Sheri) Beckius and great-grandchildren Emily and James of Santee, CA; and grandson Chad (Lisa) Beckius and great-grandsons Andrew and Caleb of Vermillion, SD; brother Donald (Lyla) Blevins of Stapleton, NE; and sisters in law Esther Blevins of Stapleton and Twyla Kramer of North Platte.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; son Dale Rodney Miles; and brother Byron.
Memorials are suggested to the Stapleton Volunteer Fire Department and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday May 28, 2013 at Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Stapleton with Rev. Bob Anderson and Vicar Chad Beckius officiating. Burial will follow at the Arnold Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday and Sunday May 25th and 26th noon to 6:00 p.m. and Monday noon to 4:00 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, and Monday evening 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Stapleton. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.