Anita K. Long

Anita K. Long, 74, passed away on May 30, 2018. She is survived by her children Wesley (Arrhya) Long, William (Lisa) Long, and Kevin (Christine) Long; her grandchildren Korbin, Amanda, Martin, Morgan, Harley, Isaac, and Lauren; her siblings Karen Russell, Gary (Janelle) Mueller, and Tim (Suzanne) Mueller; her sister-in-law Kathy Mueller; numerous nieces and nephews; and many loving friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Shirley J. (Hiebel) Mueller and Marvin E. Mueller Sr.; and her brother Marvin Mueller. She will be greatly missed by many. Anita was born on October 8, 1943 to Marvin E. and Shirley J. Mueller in San Angelo, Texas. Marvin was stationed in San Angelo during World War II. After the war, Marvin, Shirley, Anita, and her newly-born brother, Marvin Jr. moved back to the family farm in Columbus, Nebraska. She attended school in Columbus, graduating in 1961. Three more siblings, Karen, Gary, and Tim were born to Marvin and Shirley. Anita attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln, receiving a Bachelor of Science from the College of Agriculture and Home Economics on August 7, 1964. Anita married Leonard I Long, of Kimball, Nebraska on August 8, 1964 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Columbus. They moved to the Long family farm, south of Kimball. Anita started teaching secondary Home Economics at Bushnell Public School and later taught at Kimball Junior/Senior High School. In 1969, Anita and Leonard had the first of three sons, Wesley, William, and Kevin. She temporarily left teaching to raise their sons and assist with the farming and erosion conservation businesses. In 1983, Anita went back to teaching secondary Home Economics at Dix Public School in Dix, Nebraska. She also taught Fourth grade and at Potter after the Potter-Dix district consolidation. In 1990, Anita moved with her son, Kevin, to Columbus to teach Seventh and Eighth grade Math and Science at Shell Creek Elementary School North of Columbus. Shell Creek was later consolidated in the Lakeview Public School District, from where she retired in 2004. She also coached the Mathcounts teams for Shell Creek/Lakeview during her time there. Anita won several teaching awards throughout her career including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2000. She traveled to Japan along with winners from other states to tour various educational and other facilities there. In 2006, Anita moved to Thornton, Colorado to be closer to her sons and their families. She also remained very active with her church and sewing groups, even traveling to Cambodia on a mission trip and Germany with her friends from church. She enjoyed many hobbies in retirement including quilting, sewing, tutoring, educational/career coaching, baking, gardening, traveling, and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren. There will be a Memorial Gathering on Wednesday, June 6 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at the Horan & McConaty Family Chapel (9998 Grant St. Thornton 80229). There will also be a Memorial Service in her honor on Thursday, June 7, 11:00am at Risen Savior Lutheran Church (3031 W. 144th Ave. Broomfield 80023). You are invited to join the family for a reception at the church immediately following the service. Please share memories of Anita and condolences with her family in the guestbook below.