Carolyn “Jo” Long, age 74, of Tryon began her eternal life on June 7, 2016 in North Platte. She was born December 5, 1941 to D.M. “Red” and Ernestine “Johnnie” (Elmore) Mann in North Platte. She lived on the home ranch, which she loved, all her life. She was baptized at the Eclipse Church in 1950. Jo attended grade school at District #10 in McPherson County and the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture, in Curtis, from 1955-1957. She then attended North Platte Senior High and graduated with the class of 1959, and continued on to beauty school in North Platte. She then married her high school sweetheart, R. L. “Bob” Long on November 15, 1959, at the First Lutheran Church in North Platte. To this union, they were blessed with four fabulous daughters, Becky, Carmen, Bridget and Kelly.
Highlights of her life were her girls, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was always active in following her girls and grandkids to their school activities, rodeos or sporting events. She won a horse as the winner of the Sutherland Rodeo Junior Queen Contest. Her talent for decorating at weddings was in demand by many friends over the years, of which she enjoyed immensely. Jo’s rodeo involvement included the NHSRA rodeo queen coordinator for a number of years. She always looked forward to their yearly trip to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, NV, where she watched a little rodeo and gambled a lot, usually winning enough to pay for their trip. She was very involved in helping with the cattle, hogs and haying on the ranch. She worked at Hoover’s Jewelry for many years before becoming a full time grandma, of which she cherished every minute.
Her circle of worry includes her husband of 56 years, Bob of Tryon, daughters Becky Dailey of Arnold, Carmen Eimers (fiancé Russ Reinsch) of Shickley, Bridget Lange of North Platte, and Kelly (Mark) Ward of Tryon; grandchildren Brock (Robin) Dailey, Lindy (Della) Dailey all of Arnold, Stephanie (Kyle) Konken of Beaver Crossing, Paula Eimers (fiancé Taylor Skala), Kiersten and Tatum Lange, all of North Platte, and Kandace, Mason, and Klaire Ward, all of Tryon; great grandchildren Kora and Bo Dailey, and Paityn and Colter Dailey all of Arnold, Ayden and Camden Konken of Beaver Crossing; one loving sister Molly (Ronnie) Woodward of Broken Bow; sisters-in-law Betty (Don) Haws and Patricia Long, all of North Platte; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents “Red and “Johnnie” Mann, father and mother-in-law Bob and Elinor Long, and son-in-law Alan Dailey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the McPherson County Fire Department or Miller Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 13, 2016 at McPherson County High School in Tryon, with the Reverend Jay Bessmer officiating. Burial will follow at Miller Cemetery near Tryon. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friday, June 10, 2016 and noon until 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with family receiving friends from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.