Iona Grace Hightree was born June 15,1928, on a farm west of Decatur to Ralph and Gladys (Rouse) Hightree. She passed away on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, at the home of Mark and Kris Long in Omaha at the age of 94 years, 2 months and 12 days.
Iona attended country school by her parents’ farm west of Decatur and then Decatur High School graduating in May of 1945. Then May 28, 1945, Iona enrolled in Midland College and attained her teaching certificate. She taught country school for 4 years. On November 23rd, 1949, Iona G. Hightree was united in marriage with Dwight E. Long at the United Methodist Church in Lyons.
They had 3 sons, Michael, Mark and Martin and made the move in 1963 from Lyons to the farm where they made their home for over 50 years.
Iona and Dwight were members of First Presbyterian Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dwight Long; sister, Dorothy (Ray) Elliot; brother, Ralph (Beulah) Hightree; brother, Charles Hightree; sister-in-law, Sharon Hightree; nieces, Nancy Leonard and Pamela Hightree.
Survivors include her sons, Mike Long of Longmont, Colo.; Mark (Kris) Long of Omaha, Martin (Laurie) Long of Lyons; brother, F. Donald (Lorraine) Hightree of Pilger; 7 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Funeral Service, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Lyons.
Visitation, Thursday, 5 to 7 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Services Lyons with Prayer Service beginning at 7 p.m.
Burial at Lyons Cemetery, Lyons.
Memorials directed to the family for future designation.
Arrangements by Pelan Funeral Services Oakland. www.pelanfuneralservices.com
