Vonda Long

Vonda LaVera (Stradley) Long, the daughter of Robert Ira and Stella Blanche (Wilson) Stradley, was born on September 9, 1922 in Sand Creek Township near Shannon City in Union County, Iowa. Vonda entered eternal rest on January 14, 2016 at Crest Haven Care Centre, Creston, Iowa at the age of ninety-three years, four months and five days.
Vonda grew up on a farm in Sand Creek township southeast of Arispe. She attended Melrose School #8 through eighth grade, then went to Arispe High School and graduated with the Class of 1940. Following graduation Vonda worked for a family; gardening, cleaning and cooking, then she started working for the Shannon City telephone office running the switchboard.
On February 25, 1942, Vonda married Clarence Duncan Long at a church parsonage in St. Joseph, Missouri. They farmed for many years with Clarence’s parents and lived on the family farm with their children, Loren, Iris and Robert. Working together, the family raised dairy cattle, chickens, and a large garden.
After Iris graduated, Vonda began working as a Nurse Aide for a nursing home near Mt. Ayr, later switching to Creston Manor Nursing Home in Creston. She truly enjoyed her twenty years of work as a Nurse Aide. In 1974, Vonda and Clarence moved to Creston.
Vonda was an active member of the Presbyterian Church in Creston, and the church Quilters Group. She was a member of the Farm Bureau and was the Extension Service Homemaker of the Year in 1955. Vonda was a volunteer for the Greater Community Hospital Auxiliary and was also a Respite Volunteer. Vonda liked to keep herself busy and her home is filled with many collections and family keepsakes. She also did hand embroidery, and has made many quilts, lap robes and Christmas decorations over the years. Vonda and Clarence enjoyed travelling and camping.
Left to cherish Vonda’s memory are her children: Loren (Mary) Long, Greenfield; and Iris (William) Owen, Clarinda; Four Grandchildren: Lorene Long, Red Oak; Lisa (Jeff) Howard, Stuart, IA; Lonnie (Pam) Long, Greenfield and Jeffrey Long, Oklahoma; Two great-grandchildren: Katlynn Long and Madison Long; her sister-in-law, Dolly Stradley, Redding, PA; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceding Vonda in death were her parents, her husband, Clarence; Two brothers; Two Sisters; and a son, Robert Long in 2011.