Virginia J. "Ginny" Long, age 88 of Grand Rapids died at the Oak Hill Assisted Living in Grand Rapids, Minnesota with her family at her side.

Virginia Joyce Long was born June 24, 1938 in Pennington, Minnesota, the daughter of Ethlyn Mae (Morrison) and Elmer J. Wilcowski.  Ginny, as she was fondly called, grew up in the Pennington area.  In November 1954, Ginny was united in marriage to Arnold "Arnie" Lewis Long and they became the parents of six children.  As a family, they moved several times throughout the years.  In 1969, they made their home in Black River Falls, Wisconsin.  While in Wisconsin, Ginny worked as a bus driver for Senior Citizens, drove taxi in area, and was a cook at Big Chief Restaurant.  In 1981 during the Cuban Crisis, Ginny went to the Ft. McCoy Army Base to work. In 1983, their family moved to Grand Rapids, Minnesota where she lived until her death.

Ginny can be remembered as a musician and a fine poet.  She enjoyed singing and playing with country bands and would be able to pick up any instrument and play it!  She had the pleasure of singing on the old Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville, TN and also performed in Tootie's Orchid Lounge in Branson, MO.  She enjoyed composing her own music and a favorite she wrote was "The Diamond." Writing poetry was another hobby that brought her joy.   She was a member of the International Poetry Society.  Several of her poems have been published in some Poetry Collection books, sold at Barnes and Noble bookstores as well as in some places internationally. Her strong faith, baking bread and making her famous Chuckwagon Baked Beans, taking photos of nature, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren truly defined her.

She will be deeply missed by her children, Marilyn Drangstviet, Idell Long, Suzann (Bob) Huntington, Shelley Jones and Evan (Rachel) Long; many grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren; sister, Sandra (Tim) Renolette; several nieces and nephews and friends.

Ginny was preceded in death by her husband, Arnie Long; a daughter, Sharon Long; and brothers, Ken Wilcowski, Lavern and his wife, Lois Wilcowski, and James and his wife, Pauline Wilcowski.

To honor Ginny, her family has followed her request of having a private graveside service in Wildwood Cemetery, Moose Lake Township, Beltrami County near Blackduck, Minnesota.  A Celebration of her Life will be planned for a later time.