Lela Edith Long, 80, of Creston, formerly of Marshalltown, died Dec. 19, 2007, in Creston, where she had lived for the past four years.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Pursel-Davis Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be sent to Creston Nursing and Rehab Center or to GrimesFarm Conservation Center.

Lela, and her twin brother Leland, were born Oct. 5, 1927, in Rhodes, Iowa, to Hugh Clark and Edith (Freland) Alexander. She graduated from Rhodes High School in 1945. After graduation, she moved to Marshalltown where she worked at JC Penney Company, for Dr. Ray Samuel as a lab assistant and at Taylor’s Maid-Rite for over 30 years before retiring. She married Robert Allen Long on July 4, 1947, and together they made their home in Rhodes and then Marshalltown. They were married for 32 years. Their union produced four children: Meryle (Darel) Gagon of Salt Lake City, Utah; David (Cinda) Long of Creston; Dennis (Gladys) Long of Laurel; and April (Jacob) Kvinlaug of Marshalltown.

Lela will be remembered for her quick wit and friendly smile. She had many friends at the Maid-Rite and missed “doping” those buns and chatting with the regulars after her retirement. Lela enjoyed camping, was an avid photographer, and enjoyed bowling in local, state and national tournaments. She loved gardening, many people would stop at her corner lot to marvel at her flowers and ask her about her gardening secrets. When she was younger she had a huge vegetable garden and enjoyed canning and preserving.

Lela was also a talented seamstress making both clothing and costumes for her children and others. She also completed many craft projects throughout her life. Known as “Granny” by family and their friends, she was a busy lady, but never too busy to help her children, her children’s friends or her own friends.

Lela touched every life she encountered and the world is a better place for it.

She will be missed by her four children, who were the joy of her life; 19 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; brothers Robert Alexander of Arizona and Hubert (Mike) Alexander of Rhodes; sister-in-law Lavon Alexander of Rhodes; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; a sister, Alice; brothers, John and twin Leland; and sister-in-law Donna.