Maxine Louise (Evenson) Long, 84, passed away at Solvay Hospice House, Duluth, Minnesota on November 25, 2018. Maxine was born February 18, 1934 to Harold and Borghild (Myrmel) Evenson in Cloquet, MN. When she was a young girl she moved with her parents and sister to International Falls, MN. She loved telling stories of her childhood experiences with friends and of days on Rainy Lake with her parents. After graduating from Falls High School, Maxine attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. She graduated in 1956 with a bachelor of science degree in nursing in St. Olaf’s first nursing class. 
Maxine married Arnold John Long on October 6, 1956 at Zion Lutheran Church in International Falls. Maxine and Arne provided a loving home for their family in the many beautiful places they lived during Arne’s career in the National Park Service. Maxine practiced nursing with compassion and integrity in many of those same places. She offered her skills and knowledge to Spooner Hospital for over 25 years. Following retirement, she served on the hospital board, the hospital ethics committee, and in volunteer work. 

Maxine‘s hospitality included providing countless meals at her table with family and friends. She cherished and shared Norwegian recipes from her mother and mother-in-law. She gifted her family with Norwegian mittens and hats and sewed clothes for her children and grandchildren. Maxine loved music and played violin with an ensemble in Spooner and with the Red Cedar Symphony.

Maxine loved the natural world and enjoyed spending time with Arne biking, canoeing, camping, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. One of her greatest joys was spending time with family at her beloved Rainy Lake. 

To celebrate her deep Norwegian roots, Maxine traveled to Norway on two occasions. She loved her extended family and was diligent in keeping in touch through cards and letters. She made it a priority to visit her grandchildren and great grandchildren of whom she was so proud. She attended many of their varied activities. 

Baptized into the Christian faith as an infant, Maxine was a lifelong Lutheran. Her faith was steadfast and sure. She loved her Spooner congregation, Trinity Lutheran Church. 
Maxine was preceded in death by her parents, husband Arne, infant son John David, sister, Arlyne Kelberer, and infant granddaughter Sarah Beth Eisele. She is survived by three children, Katherine (Jeff) Eisele of Sioux Falls, SD, Steven (Catherine) Long of Duluth, MN, and Sandra (Mark) Pearson of Cohasset, MN; six grandchildren, Benjamin (Kristen) Eisele, Samuel Eisele, Keaton Long, Sonja Long, Simon Long, and Nathaniel Pearson; two great grandchildren, Evelyn Eisele and Gabriel Eisele; brother-in-law Gordon (Mary) Long, sister-in-law Mary Alice (Peter) Idsvoog, eight nieces, three nephews, and many friends. 

Maxine’s family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the love, friendship, and comfort extended to Maxine by her Trinity Lutheran family, Spooner Hospital, and the Spooner community, including her wonderful Par Road neighbors.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spooner, WI on Friday, November 30 at 11:00 am, Pastor Dan Hermanson, presiding. Visitation with family will be at 10 am prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in gratefulness for Maxine’s life may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, Spooner, WI.

Last Update: Dec 03, 2018 9:00 am CST