Joy Long

Joy Long, 83, Pine River, went to meet her Lord and Savior on May 27, 2010, with her family at her bedside.

Marie-Jose` Franscious Huydts was born on June 13, 1926, in Hoboken, Belgium, to Allan and Mathilda (DeDonder) Huydts. As a young woman during WWII, Joy was employed as a secretary for the United States Army. Some of the soldiers found it difficult to pronounce her given name, so they nicknamed her "Joy", which followed her for life. While employed there, a particular American soldier caught Joy's eye. After a brief courtship, Joy and Charley Long were united in marriage on June 8, 1946. When Charley received orders to return stateside, Joy followed by ship in September 1946 from Belgium to Sioux Falls, SD. They resided there until moving in 1958 to their life-long home in Pine River.

During the course of raising their 9 children, Joy worked in the Pine River nursing home and as a teacher's aide in the Special Education Department of the Pine River School system. In 1984, Joy achieved her long-time goal to become a United States citizen and voted in every election from then on.

Joy was the happiest and most content while baking, cooking and canning in her kitchen. She also stayed busy attending the many weddings, graduations, and showers within her large family, or serving her church by singing in the choir or helping with various church activities. Joy's life was not simple, but she always took the time to enjoy the simple things in her life - taking a picture of a new rose blossom in her garden, spotting a new bird at one of her feeders, or holding a new grandbaby or great grandbaby for the first time. It was never in Joy's nature to take from anyone - she always gave generously of herself and her time to anyone who needed her. Her unwavering faith and love for the Lord kept her strong and optimistic even in the most difficult of times.

Although Joy has left us for her new home in Heaven, she leaves behind the legacy of a wonderful woman with a loving, selfless spirit who spent her lifetime committed to the Lord and devoted to her family. She will be dearly missed.

Joy leaves her husband of 63 years, Charley; daughter, Dolores Durm (Edwin) of Merrifield; sons: Ron (Sherry) of Brooklyn Park, Michael (Barb) of Osakis, Terry (Linnea) of Monticello, Jeff (Ginny) of Howard Lake, Doug (Shelley) of Cokato, Peter (Sherilyn) of New Hope; 34 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren; niece, Milou Weatherly (Allan) of Franktown, CO; and a countless number of friends.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Gene Huydts, sons, Sid and Timmy Long, and grandson, Bruce Durm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM on Tuesday, June 1, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Pine River, with Father Bruce Engen officiating. Burial will be in Swanburg Cemetery, rural Pine River. Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 8 PM, with Rosary at 7 PM, at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, and one hour prior to services at the church.