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Bertha 'Bert' Long
BERTHA “BERT” ELAINE LONG
Cedar Rapids
Bertha "Bert" Elaine Long, 94, of Cedar Rapids, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. A memorial service will be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories with Dr. Nancy Redman officiating. A livestream of the service will be offered on the Cedar Memorial website under the obituary for Bert, under the video tab, starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 27. The family requires everyone in attendance to wear a mask.
Bert was born March 11, 1927, in Iowa City, Iowa. She was the daughter of the late Carroll and Vera (Orris) Hanshaw. On Dec. 12, 1946, Bert married the love of her life, Robert Clair Long at the Church of the Brethren in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marion, where she served as an elder and deacon. She loved singing in the choir, and was a member of the Presbyterian Women. She volunteered at the Marion Library and enjoyed volunteering at her home at The Meth-Wick Community.
Those left to cherish Bert's memory are her children, Christine (Ron) Grannis of Graniteville, S.C., John C. (Linda) Long, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Jeanette (Les) Casteel of Hartville, Mo., and Steven C. (Kathy) Long of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her 11 grandchildren; her 10 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Delores Brown.
She was preceded in death by husband, Robert C. Long; son, Michael C. Long; parents, Carroll and Vera Hanshaw; brother, Carroll Hanshaw; and sisters, Violet Morlan and Yvonne LaKose.
One of Bert's many goals was to be sure everyone was happy and always saw the "bright side of everything."
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First Presbyterian Church in Marion, Iowa.
The family wishes to thank all the staff and residents at The Meth-Wick Community and the staff at the UnityPoint St. Luke's Hospice Unit for all of the loving care and support.
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