Milly Lou Long, age 92, of Tomahawk, passed on to take her much-deserved place among the angels, by her husband’s side in God’s eternal Kingdom on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. She passed peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family. Milly was born on May 27, 1930, in Freeman, Mo., to John William Bogar and Rena Mildred (Johnson) Bogar.
Milly was preceded in death by her husband; Theodore Franklin Long; her parents, John and Rena Bogar; and brother, Gerald “Jerry” Bogar. She is survived by her sister, Sue O’Neil, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; brother-In-law, John (Wendy) ‘Butch’ Long, of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; daughter, Sue Nichols, of Harrisonville, Mo.; sons, Dennis Long, of Tomahawk, and Rick (Annie) Goddard, of Beulah, Colo. Milly was overjoyed to be called Grandma by 11 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Aside from their three children and loving grandchildren, they also adopted and fostered several more children throughout their lives. This, of course, doesn’t include the innumerable people that came to know her love and affection that also called her Grandma Mil.
Milly married the love of her life, Theodore Franklin Long, on June 10, 1948, at the Freeman Baptist Church in Freeman, Mo., and thus began the start of two amazingly well-lived lives. It’s nearly impossible to refer to Milly without referring to her dedicated husband of 73 years. They have always been, and will always be Frank and Milly, or Pa and Grandma. Grass never grew under their feet as they moved over 44 times, always in search of their next adventure.
To say family was important to her would be the understatement of all understatements. But you didn’t have to be a blood relative, or even related by marriage, to be considered part of her family. Friends were family, and friends of friends were and became family. Love could always be found in abundance in all of Pa and Grandma’s homes.
If their family was one cornerstone of their combined existence, their collective faith was another equally important cornerstone. Grandma was fond of the saying “live your life so that others who do not know God, know God through you.” She lived her faith every day and ministered to others, both literally and figuratively.
Milly’s work history is a reflection of her desire to be of service. She held many positions, and nearly every one of them was directly related to serving others. Not one to sit at home, Milly worked at the Missouri State Correctional Facility for Girls in Chillicothe, Mo., where she was quickly promoted into an administrative level position based on her hard work. Milly and Frank then moved to Colorado where she began as night dorm monitor at the Colorado School for the Deaf & Blind. During her 18 years there, she advanced all the way up to assistant superintendent, again, based almost entirely on her hard work ethic. Milly and Frank then returned to Missouri and both finished their careers at the Cass County Juvenile Center in Harrisonville, Mo. Retirement didn’t slow them down, though. Milly (and usually Pa) also served in a variety of roles at several churches and were also hospital chaplains in several places. Milly also served as a Hospice volunteer in Warsaw and Harrisonville, Mo., and Tomahawk.
Milly also knew how to have fun and she was a fierce competitor. Grandma rarely found a card, board, or dice game she didn’t thoroughly enjoy. She also loved to watch and cheer on her children and grandchildren competing in sporting events. She also loved spending time outdoors and especially loved gardening.
Among her many talents, Grandma was a teacher. She taught those in her life valuable life skills; how to cook, clean, sew, garden, keep faith, occasionally swear, and drink wine. But her most valued lessons were those values she instilled in her kids and grandkids: Love unconditionally. Take time to understand. Learn to forgive, even when it feels impossible. Help those in need.
Her death will leave a hole in many, many hearts. But where there is often sadness and grief, this hole is quickly filled with fond memories and infinite love. We will miss you forever, Grandma, but we rejoice and take comfort in knowing you are reunited with Pa.
A celebration of Milly’s life will be held at a later date.
Generations Funeral Home & Crematory, Tomahawk, is assisting the family. You may view Milly’s obituary and leave online condolences at www.generationsfuneral.com.