Charles W. Long, age 96, of Eau Claire, died peacefully on November 23, 2014, at Dove Healthcare-West in Eau Claire. He was born February 23, 1918, to Walter R. and Ragna M. (Fangsrud) Long in Milnor, ND. Charlie served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the Aleutian Islands and the Philippines theaters. After leaving the service, Charles married Helen Randall at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire on April 17, 1948. He was an electrician for C.R. Stocks Electric in Eau Claire until retiring in 1973. Charles was also a member of Grace Lutheran Church, the Northwind Road Riders, the NRA, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #953. Charlie was an avid sportsman, counting many types of hunting and fishing among his interests. He was also passionate about motorcycling, logging thousands of miles on two (and, later, three) wheels, following his completion of the eighth grade when he was 13. He touched countless lives during his 96 years, and we were all blessed and inspired by his childlike curiosity, and his love, support, and encouragement for anyone who sought his help. Charlie was a great role model, father, and friend, and was, truly, one of a kind. Charles is survived by his three sons, Richard (Geraldine) of Eau Claire, Mark (Julie) of Missoula, MT, and Bruce (Cheryl) of Rochester, MN; four grandsons, Randy (Jaime), Adam (Stacey), Drew (Laura), and Chad; great-grandchildren, Spencer, Kinsley, and Alex; along with nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, in 2007; infant twins; his parents; two sisters, Iris Brandby and Beulah Abel; and his brother, Guy. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, at Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Avenue, Eau Claire. The Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at Grace Lutheran Church, 202 West Grand Avenue, Eau Claire, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastors Dean W. Simpson and Julie Long will be officiating. Interment will be in the Lutheran Church Cemetery in Eau Claire with Military Honors conducted by the Eau Claire American Legion Post No.53. The family wishes to thank the amazing staff of the Palliative Care unit at Dove West, for their incredible and compassionate care of Charlie over the past year, as well as Dr. Randall Casper for his patient and attentive care of Charles for the past 30 years. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Eau Claire County Nutrition Program (Meals on Wheels), Room 1130, 721 Oxford Ave., Eau Claire WI, 54703 (online donations: www.eauclaireadrc.org) or the Dove Healthcare-West Palliative Care Unit, 1405 Truax Blvd, Eau Claire WI, 54703.
Service Information
Cemetery
Lutheran Church Cemetery
1700 Omaha Street
Eau Claire WI 54701
Visitation
Tuesday, December 2 2014
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Services
814 First Avenue
Eau Claire WI 54703
Visitation
Wednesday, December 3 2014
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Grace Lutheran Church
202 W. Grand Ave.
Eau Claire WI
Funeral Service
Wednesday, December 3 2014
11:00 AM
Grace Lutheran Church
202 W. Grand Ave.
Eau Claire WI
