Margaret E. Long, widow of western artist Ted Long, died June 16, 2015. Margaret was the middle child of Tom and Catherine Hoatson and was born and raised on the Hoatson Ranch north of Hershey.
She attended rural grade school, riding her horse to school. Later she attended Hershey High School. Margaret was the first homecoming queen at Hershey High School and was also in the Buffalo Bill Rodeo Queen contest. This is where Ted Long first noticed her. His mother had sent him the article when he was in Korea in the Army.
She attended Kearney State Teachers College and earned a teaching certificate. On July 30, 1955 she and Ted Long were united in marriage at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland.
As newlyweds they made their home on the Long Ranch, northwest of North Platte, where she still lived at the time of her death.
To this union four children were born; Michaelene, Thomas, Patrick and Cathy. She was very active in the lives of her children, attending 4-H events, high school rodeos and baseball, football and volleyball games.
Margaret traveled with Ted all over the world attending art shows. She was very knowledgeable on painting and sculpture and knew many of the artists who created that work. Margaret and Ted hosted President Ronald Reagan at a luncheon at the ranch when Reagan visited North Platte. Along with assembling an extensive art collection, she enjoyed the “hunt” for antiques too.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Ted, her parents Tom and Catherine Hoatson, sisters Regina McWilliams and Mary Schenck and brothers, Tom and Robert Hoatson.
She is survived by her children, Michaelene of North Platte, Tom (Connie) of Gothenburg, Patrick (Kathy) of Elko, Nevada and Cathy of North Platte. Grandsons include Trevor (Amy) Golter and Blair (Tracy) Golter, three great-granddaughters and two great grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Prairie Art’s Center or to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday June 22, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Reverend James Golka as celebrant. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Christian Wake Services will be 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 21, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Visitation will be noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.