Cynthia Ruth Long nee Peterson, 80, of Waupaca, WI, was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven on January 17, 2021 surrounded by family.

She passed away from complications of Parkinson’s disease. She leaves her husband of over 58 years, Donald Long, along with family and friends. She was born on September 27, 1940 in Scandinavia, Wisconsin to Clarence and Ruth (Blihovde) Peterson. Cindy grew up on the Peterson Mill Stream Dairy Farm where she especially enjoyed helping with large vegetable gardens as well as swimming and skating on the pond. She graduated from the Peterson Mill one-room schoolhouse and Scandinavia High School before attending UW-Stout to become a teacher.

Cindy was a teacher for over 30 years, mostly teaching Home Economics at Weyauwega Fremont High School. She loved teaching. Cindy was a natural at sharing knowledge and making learning fun. She met her husband, Donald Wayne Long, through her family’s registered Holsteins. On July 7, 1962, Cynthia and Donald were married at Scandinavia Lutheran Church. After they were married, they moved to Weyauwega. Don and Cindy, with Don’s brother and wife, operated Belleview Farms of Weyauwega milking about 100 cows.

Family was very important to Cynthia Ruth. She valued time with her husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, and extended family. She shared her thoughtful generous kindness with so many. Along with spending time with family, Cindy enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, doing puzzles, traveling, watching Wisconsin sports, and helping others. She was proud of her Swedish and Norwegian heritage. Cynthia Ruth loved making and eating lefse with her immediate and extended family. She was a 4-H member and leader for many years. Cynthia’s patience was clearly evident as she taught others the love of sewing. Cynthia enjoyed judging clothing and food projects at many local county fairs. She was actively involved in her local Homemakers group, serving in many officer positions at the club and county level. During the early years of their marriage, Cindy and Don opened their home and heart to several foster children.

Cindy, with the help of other parents, hosted the first local Junior Holstein Association meeting in her family room. Cynthia also impacted many youth in the area by serving on the Fox Valley Technical College Board of Directors for many years. Cindy was actively involved in their church, St. John’s Lutheran Church of Weyauwega where she taught Sunday School for many years, served on the church council, and represented the church on Bethany Board of Directors. Cindy especially enjoyed helping with the quilting ministry, the church bazaar, and the Spring Women’s banquet.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Ruth Peterson; her brother, Curtis Peterson; her brother-in law, Keith Long; and other family and friends. She is survived by her loving husband, Donald Long of Waupaca; her children: Brian (Elis) Long of Weyauwega, Bruce (Brenda) Long of New London, and Julie (Mark) Schulz of Oxford; her grandchildren: Bryant (Amanda) Long, Brandon Long, Bret Long, Thomas Long, Michael Long, Joshua Long, Kaitlyn Schulz, Nicholas Schulz, and Patrick Long; her siblings: Phyllis (Leo) McSherry, Don (Judy) Peterson, Bill (Mary) Peterson; her brothers-in-law, Gene (Sue) Long and Richard Long; her sisters-in-law, Donna Peterson and Judy Long; many nieces and nephews; and numerous other family and friends. The family wishes to thank ThedaCare Hospice and everyone who expresses their condolences.

The Funeral Service will be Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, N3882 County Road KK, Weyauwega. The visitation will be on Wednesday at the church from 8 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.