Shirley Ann Long

Shirley Long left this earth on Sunday, September 7, 2025, but she will be forever etched in our hearts. She was born Shirley Winkels on April 13, 1935, in Wadena, Minnesota and moved to Eastern Oregon shortly after. She lived in Nessa and Ontario for her early childhood, but most of her adolescence was spent in Baker, Oregon. She went to school at St Francis Academy from grade school through high school where she graduated in 1954 as the Salutatorian. She went to work as a switchboard operator after high school and eventually moved to Myrtle Creek, Oregon. It was there that she met the love of her life, Gary Long. They were married in 1957 and had seven children: Robert Long; Pamela Bauer; Richard Long; Gary Long; David Long; Greg Long; and Peggy Long. She was grandmother to 25 children and great grandmother to 15 (and counting). In 1961 she decided she didn’t want to raise her children in town, and they purchased their farm on Glengary Loop where she created a home for not only her kids but any cousins or friends that needed a place to stay. She is survived by her sister, Donna Sherman and was proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, her sisters: Deloris Winkels; Phyllis Winkels; Betty Shrum; Joanne Christie; Mary Francis; and Eunice Winkels; her brothers Ted Winkels and George Winkels; and her grandson Andrew Long. She will forever be remembered for her kindness and her ability to make people feel safe and included. She also gave the best hugs. A Rosary service for Shirley will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, September 19th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. A funeral mass will follow at 12:00. At 1:30 pm there will be a graveside blessing at Roseburg Memorial Gardens. A reception at the Long Family Home will follow.