Norma Long

Norma J. Long, age 85, of Blooming Prairie, passed away Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Saint Marys Campus. Norma Jean Vrieze was born May 1, 1934 in Spring Valley, Minnesota, the daughter of Roy and Grace (Lingbeck) Vrieze.  She attended school in Spring Valley and graduated from Austin High School in 1952. On November 29, 1953, Norma married Robert Long in Austin, Minnesota. The couple lived on their farm until 1998 when they moved to Blooming Prairie. Norma worked at Holmes Greenhouse and the Blooming Prairie Bakery. She also owned Norma’s Crafts for almost 40 years. She traveled to craft fairs in southern Minnesota and Arizona with her crafts that were all handmade and sewn. Norma had sewn over 1,000 denim shirts and sweatshirts, and over 500 stuffed rabbits, cows, and cabbage patch type dolls. She enjoyed crafts, sewing, reading, camping and traveling, especially trips to Alaska, Nova Scotia, Maine, and New England.  Norma loved wintering in Arizona for 15 years, and going to family gatherings. She was a past member of Geneva Community Lutheran Church. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include her children, Debbie (Bob) Farr of Blooming Prairie, Cindy (Bob) Tyson, of Brainerd, Minnesota,  Rick (Mary) Long of Rochester, Minnesota, Lisa (Rick) Hocking of Blooming Prairie; 8 grandchildren, Nicole, Brian, Michael, Amy, Brantley, David, Rachel, Jeremy; 3 step-grandchildren, Melissa, Emily, Amanda; 17 great grandchildren; 1 step great grandchild; 1 great-great grandchild; sister, Audrey Slowinski of Austin; nieces, nephews, cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Grace Vrieze, her husband, Robert in 2011; one grandson, Arron Stoen, and two granddaughters.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie.  Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. prior the service at the church on Saturday.  Interment will be at the Geneva Cemetery. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home.