Jane “Janie” Esther Long (nee Krueger), 76, of Rockford, IL passed away peacefully on July 29, 2021.

Born on January 12, 1945 in Clintonville, WI, the daughter of Gilbert and Hulda Krueger. Jane was a 1963 graduate of Clintonville High School where she worked after graduating as secretary to the principal until relocating to Rockford, IL.

Survivors include her husband of 34 years, Larry L. Long; daughter, Mary “Molly” (Greg) Ballou; sons, Richard “Rick” (Samantha) Aylward and Eric Long; grandchildren, Brittany (Michael) Stapleton, Alexander “Alex” Ballou, Amanda (Tyler) Thompson, Savannah Marsili, Cassandra Aylward and great-grandsons, Lucas Michael Stapleton and Jaxon Lee Thompson; siblings, Donald (the late Janet) Krueger, Esther (the late Kenneth) Reinke, and sister-in-law Donna (the late James) Krueger, many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents.

Jane worked as a sales assistant for Reliance Electric in Rockford, IL and in Cincinnati, OH for many years and then as an assistant at Anderson Hills Pediatrics. Her happy place was working in her yard, gardening and landscaping. In earlier years, she loved growing a garden and canning the fruits of her labor. She loved crafting flower arrangements, floral wreaths, cooking and, most of all, spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Rockford, IL and had a strong faith. Jane was passionate about supporting our military troops and wrote a poem called “Hope of Peace” which resulted in ten thousand+ copies being distributed to military forces during Desert Storm. She was most proud of her family and their accomplishments.

In the last several years, Jane had a number of health challenges. We would like to thank everyone who prayed for her and those who helped care for her. No service at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to woundedwarriorproject.org. To share a memory or condolence please visit www.honquestfh.com