Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Loretta Ann Long, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2023. A woman who embraced life fully, her outgoing personality meant she was never a stranger long to all she met. She will be remembered most for her compassionate nature, her strong faith in Christ and her deep love and concern for family and friends.
Born on February 21,1945 to Fred Jr. & Evelyn (Stumf) Rein in Scottsbluff, NE, Loretta spent her early years with half-brothers Rodney and Donald (Donny) and younger sister Patricia (Trish). Her father was a farmer and owned a pool hall in Minatare, NE appropriately named “Fred’s Place” which of course made her even more popular than she already was. Many wonderful memories were made with her siblings and friends on weekends at Lake Minatare when their father could be away from the poolhall. She graduated from Minatare High School in 1963 with honors. While in school, she made many lifelong friends, too many to mention in fact. After high school she studied accounting. One evening dragging Main Street in Scottsbluff she met Robert (Bob) Long. They married in 1964 and raised their two children, Scott and Shauna, on their farm near Lyman, NE. She worked hard on the family farm with Bob for almost 20 years and supplemented their income by working at the infamous Steagall Store, before divorcing in 1983. She and her sister Trish also owned a custom jewelry business called Classic Pearls. Loretta later had a long-time relationship with David Majors and together they boldly made the decision to move to the clear mountain air of Montana near Yellowstone National Park where she managed lodges/hotels/motels/apartments in Cooke City, Silver Gate and Red Lodge for 20+ years. In later years she moved to Billings, MT to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.
She will long be remembered for her passion for her community and was involved with the Upper Yellowstone Snowmobile Club, the Colter Pass-Cooke City-Silver Gate Chamber of Commerce, Cooke City Search & Rescue and served on the Park County Planning Board.
Loretta was actively involved in supporting her family in all aspects of their lives. She coached many youth softball and bowling teams. An accomplished bowler herself, she and her team qualified to attend the national tournament for the Women’s International Bowling Congress. During the Yellowstone Fires of 1988 she and her daughter Shauna worked tirelessly to support the firefighting efforts. She was an avid Nebraska Cornhuskers fan. It didn’t matter what sport she was cheering them on! Nothing made Loretta’s day more than watching her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews play high school and college sports. Stockcar racing was a family affair starting with her brother Don and later her son Scott and grandson Dan. In her younger days, Loretta even did some stockcar racing herself in the Powder Puff races!
Loretta was fiercely proud of her family and their shared love for her greatly enriched her life. She is survived by her son, Scott (Caryn) Long, daughter; Shauna (Jason) Euell, four grandchildren; Dan Long, Ashley (Mike) Morgan, Hailey Euell, Colter Euell, three great-grandchildren; Boehdi Long, Alex Morgan, Maddie Morgan, sister Patricia Hort; and nieces & nephews; Greg (Clair) Rein, Rick (Annie) Rein, Shelena Hort, Lacy Hort, Todd (April) Hort, Randy (Leona) Rein, Josh Rein; many grandnieces/grandnephews and cousins; Ron (Lou Ann) Foltyn, Don (Sherri) Foltyn, Candis Jones, Brenda Davies and Rosann (Kevin) Roberts. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Rodney Rein and Donald Rein.
A celebration of Loretta’s life is being scheduled for a later date.
Condolences may be made at Cremation and Funeral Gallery www.cfgbillings.com.