Maxine "Mickey" (Manecke) Long

Maxine M. "Mickey" Long




On Saturday, February 13, 2021, Maxine "Mickey" Long (Manecke) passed away at the age of 95.

Mickey was born on July 1, 1925 in Bemidji, Minnesota to William and Wilhemina (Keso) Manecke. She graduated from Bemidji High School and attended Bemidji Business College. On October 2, 1946, she married Kenneth James Long, Sr. and raised four children, Kenneth James, Sally Ann, Susan Jo and Andrea Dawn.

Mickey was the youngest of 11 siblings and last surviving.

Mickey and Ken,Sr. moved many times while Ken, Sr. was in the US Army. Her most influential move was to post-WWII Germany along with their son Ken Jr. Mickey enjoyed the military life loving the adventure for a young woman from a small town in northern Minnesota. After leaving the service, the small family of three moved back to Bemidji to live with Mickey's mother while Ken, Sr. completed his teaching degree at Bemidji Teacher's college. Mickey became a teacher's wife in Bertha, Minnesota and told stories of life for a small town teacher's family and basketball coach. Leaving the teaching profession for corporate life and a bigger city, Mickey and Ken moved the family to Deephaven Park near Minneapolis where they added twins Susan and Sally and, later, Andrea to the family.

Mickey and family moved to Battle Creek, Michigan in 1962 to start a life as a Kellogg Company family. However, one of her favorite times of year was returning to Bemidji, MN and gathering with her siblings for a Manecke family reunion on Lake Bemidji. Sitting on the beach having her morning coffee with her two older sisters was a fond memory. She also spent much time in Frederic, Michigan on the banks of the Au Sable River staying at the Long family cabin.

In Battle Creek she was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and belonged to the Ruth Esther and Miriam Women's Circles. She was a long time Red Cross hospital and Battle Creek food pantry volunteer enjoying her work immensely and enjoying the friendships developed while volunteering. Well into her later years, Mickey would take long walks and swim in the community pool.

Being a grandmother was the highlight of her later years spoiling all nine grandchildren and one great grandchild with great pleasure. Her love for grandchildren Haley and Joshua Bishop, Taylor and Kendall Leamy, Jacob, Sarah, Adam, Jaquelin & Shoshie Fox-Long and great grandson Maxwell Evans is eternal.

A private family memorial service has been held. Mickey will be laid to rest with her husband, Ken at Fort Custer National Cemetery later in the year when it is safe to gather again. In lieu of flowers, and well-known to those who knew Mickey's practical nature, Mickey has requested donations be made to Trinity Lutheran Church via tlcbattlecreek.org (click on donate). Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Mickey may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.