Lola Rosalie Long

Lola Rosalie Long, age 84, of Springfield, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2013. She was born to Edwin and Clara (Eifert) Gerken, April 28, 1928, on the family farm, in Lincoln, Missouri. Lola was united in marriage to Leonard Long on January 28, 1951. The couple met at Producers Creamery in Springfield. Lola worked in medical records at Burge Protestant Hospital/Cox Medical Center and retired from there after 26 years of dedicated service. Lola was a founding and charter member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Springfield. Lola loved antiquing and working in the garden. She also enjoyed spending time with her daughter and son in law on extended visits to their home in San Diego, California. Most recently she loved taking walks to the ocean. Her friends referred to Lola affectionately as a "strong willed and hardworking German"�. She loved her family and they had a very close relationship. Lola is survived by her sons, Randy Long, and wife Janet, of Ozark, Doug Long, and wife Judy, of Nixa, Rebecca (Long) Johannesen, and husband Erik, of San Diego, CA; grandchildren, Jennifer Brown, of Joplin, Matt Elrod, of Clever, Andrea Long, of Nixa, and a brother, Willard Gerken, of Lincoln, 4 great grandchildren, and many friends. Lola is preceded in death by her parents, husband Leonard, sisters, Edith Plummer, and Eunice Gerken. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Lincoln, and the Springfield Lutheran School, Springfield, Missouri. A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 24, 2013, from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa. Funeral services will be on Monday, March 25, 2013, at 10:00 A.M. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, in Springfield. Interment will be at Immanuel Cemetery, at 3:00 P.M. in Lincoln. Arrangements are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Nixa, Missouri.