Mildred Lucile (Cook) Long

Mildred Lucile (Cook) Long 

10/25/1925 – 08/13/2015

Mildred, also affectionately known as “Cookie” or “Millie”, was born in Lucas Co, IA, on Oct. 25, 1925, the third child of Mary Malissa (Smith) and Tillman Leroy Cook. They lived NW of Chariton, where Mildred’s father farmed for the land owner. Mildred went to country school through the 2nd grade when they moved into Chariton, where she attended Columbus School and Alma Clay School. 

Mildred was in the 8th grade when she met her future husband: Russell M. Long; they were married several years later, in Princeton, MO, March 14, 1942. WWII separated them shortly after their marriage, when Russ went into the Army and then went overseas. Mildred lived with his mother for a time while he was away. 

Later she shared an apt. with her friend Edna, as they followed their Army buddy husbands. Mildred and Edna both worked to keep busy and earn some money. They remained life-long friends. After the war, Mildred & Russ lived in Co., and then moved back to IA., where their four children were born and raised: Judi, Sandy, Connie, and Steve. 

Mildred & Russ attended church when they were invited to worship with some friends. They joined the First Baptist Church in Chariton, and their faith in Jesus became very important to them as they attended church and Sunday school with their family. Both Mildred and Russ taught Sunday school classes for many years. Even though they later moved to Russell, they continued driving to Chariton for church services and activities for many years. Later they joined the First Baptist Church in Russell, where they remained active members until his death in 1996. They were married almost 54 years. In April, 2001, Mildred moved to WI to make her home with daughter Connie and her husband, Leon Cochran. She entered nursing home care in Pepin in 2011, where she was “promoted to Glory”, as one pastor liked to say, on August 13, 2015. 

Mildred’s many homemaking skills included cooking, reading, sewing, crocheting, flower and vegetable gardening. These skills served her well as she raised her family. She and Russ both worked hard to make a good home and provide for the family they loved so much. They willingly shared their home with his mother, her father, their nephew, at various times. Mildred learned new skills while in WI, as she helped in the church office where Connie was the office administrator. She loved helping at home, too, and spending time with her granddaughters and friends. 

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents and husband; sisters: Mabel Edwards, Lila Capehart, Marge Beaman; brother: Jack Cook, granddaughter Lori Swarthout, and son in law, Leon Cochran. 

She is survived by daughters: Judi (Jerry Huseman), Sandy (Bob Brown), Connie Cochran, son, Steve (Kellie) Long, grandchildren: Teri Swarthout (Steve Huwe), Tracey (Scott) Johnson, Suzanne (Barrett) Hanson, Kristina (Kenny) Vakoc, Jodie (Lynn) Seifert, Jennifer (David) Alsum, Julie (Philip) Stegemann, step-grandson, Chris (Hannah) Querrey, great-grandchildren: Lacey Geer, Paige Johnson, Lily and Kaylee Stegemann, step-great-grandchildren: Cheyenne Hanson, Ryan, Emily, and Evan Seifert, Cahde, Callahn, Cohler, and Cahble Querrey, two great-great-grandchildren: Ajay Geer, Shaye Lee Price. 

Mildred is also survived by her sister: Nellie Stackhouse; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. 

Memorials in Mildred’s name may be sent to the Chariton Public Library.