Donna Louise Long (Kimber)

She was born April 3, 1927 in Marquette to George and Luella Kimber (Grey).

She graduated from Northern Michigan University and taught in the Marquette area schools, including Big Bay, Palmer, and Marquette, for over 30 years. She was a life-long learner, returning to Northern several times, earning additional degrees. On August 9, 1947, she married the love of her life, Robert Long, enjoying 53 wonderful years together. They built a home on Woodland Avenue where they raised their three children. Her life was centered around family and teaching until she retired in 1989. Following retirement, they moved out to their “camp” on Sand River and spent winters in Gulf Shores, Alabama with many friends from the Marquette area. She was an avid reader and loved science, politics and a good debate around the kitchen table with family or friends. She also enjoyed her bowling team, pinochle club, crossword puzzles, walks on the beach, traveling and visiting family.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Long, in 2000, a brother, George Kimber, in 2004, and a sister, Nancy LaFave, in 2011. She is survived by a sister, Katherine Ann Porter (Wallace) of Naperville, IL, her three children, Candace Long South Bend, IN, Linda Bullock (Robert) North Prairie, WI, and Wayne Long (Jill) South Sioux City, NE; six grandchildren: Kimber Brenneman (Nico Smith) Odenton, MD, Kevin Brenneman (Wibke Gehringer) Cologne, Germany, Brett Brenneman, St. Joseph, MI, Erin Russell (William) Edwardsburg, MI, Michael Bullock, Waukesha, WI, and Nicholas Long, Rock Rapids, IA; two great grand-children, William and Hera Russell, and many nieces and nephews.

Her wish was to be cremated and to have her ashes mixed with that of her husband who she loved more than life itself. There will be no formal service, but a celebration of her life will be held on June 22, 2019 at camp on Sand River.