Esther P. Long

Esther Pearl Long, 85, longtime Optima resident, passed away Monday Dec. 26, 2011 at the Morton County Hospital in Elkhart, Kansas.

The daughter of Charlie Wolf and Edith (Baines) Wolf, Esther Pearl was born January 18, 1926 in Sumerford, Nebraska. Esther graduated from Sargent High School with the class of 1944. After graduation, she went to work in a munitions factory in Grand Island, Nebraska, for the duration of World War II.

After the war, she was invited to come to Guymon to visit her sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Harold Predmore. Esther said she was only staying for two weeks, but instead stayed for the rest of her life. She worked for Harold on his farm out in the Eva Community and then took a job in Guymon as a telephone operator for GTE.

Esther and Louis J. Long were united in marriage on Feb. 14, 1952 in Guymon. They made their home together on the family farm north of Optima. Esther was a devoted wife and mother and her family was her life. She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church where she was active in St. Peter's Altar Society and St. Monica's Circle. A devout Catholic, Esther was known for saying her rosary every day. Louis and Esther were married for 49 years before Louis preceded her in death in July of 2001.

In addition to her husband Louis, she was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Edith (Baines) Wolf; two brothers, Arlan "Cub" Wolf and Roger Wolf; and two sisters, Mildred (Wolf) Wilson and Marie (Wolf) Predmore, and one niece Janice (Predmore) Gas.

Survivors include her five children: Louis J Long Jr. and wife Mary of Optima, Oklahoma, Robert Long of Optima, Steven Long and wife Charmaine of Optima, Patricia Norman and husband Randy of New Braunfels, Texas, Carolyn Carlson and husband Bill of Dallas, Texas; twelve grandchildren: Dr. Christina Mitchell and husband Eric, Rachel Reedy and husband Bill, Pat Long and wife Gina, Krista Rivera and husband Michael, Kallie Norman, Chelsea Norman, Natasha Long, Kevan Long and wife Allison, Jordan Long and Ryker Long, Heather Phillips and husband Danny, Ashley Paul; and five great grandchildren: Tristan Norman, Jayden Norman, Landon Phillips, Isabella Phillips, and Hailey Mitchell. Esther is also survived by her younger brother, Lawrence Wolf and wife Sharon of Colorado Springs Colorado, a special sister-in-law, Margaret Lindley of Optima, and her nephews: Leroy Predmore and wife Alta of Eva Oklahoma, and Billy Joe Predmore and wife Sandra of Austin Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Wake and rosary services will take place Thursday Dec. 29th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church of Guymon with Deacon Joe Cruz officiating. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday Dec. 30th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church with Father Benjamin Bandanadam officiating. Interment will follow in Elmhurst Cemetery of Guymon. Services are under the care of Henson-Novak Funeral Home of Guymon. Esther's family suggests memorials to the National Alzheimer's Association or to the charity of choice. Memorials will be accepted at Henson-Novak Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942.