Cleo Jean Busskohl Long 1935 - 2017

BUSSKOHL, LONG, FISHER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/18/2017 at 20:53:18

Sioux City Journal
12 July 2017

Sioux City

Cleo Jean Busskohl Long, 82, of Sioux City, died Saturday, July 8, 2017, at a local care center after an extended illness.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave., with Chaplain Jon Moravec officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded after the service. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Cleo, the daughter of John H. and Lillian A. (Fisher) Busskohl, was born on June 28, 1935, in Sioux City. She grew up in Sioux City and graduated from Central High School with the class of 1953. Following graduation, she attended the University of Colorado in Boulder. Cleo continued her education at the University of South Dakota, graduating with a B.A. in education and child psychology.

Cleo's first teaching job was in Sioux City and then she taught school in Denver, Colo. In 1961, she was hired by the U.S. Air Force to teach in Japan. While in Japan, she enjoyed skiing and also climbed Mt. Fuji. Cleo met her future husband in Japan, Ledyard Long Jr., who was serving in the Air Force. They were married on July 31, 1962, at McGuire AFB in New Jersey. To this union two children were born. While Ledyard served in the military, the family made their home in several different communities. After returning to Sioux City, the family moved into their home on Perry Way. Cleo became a travel agent and tour planner with Arrow Stage Lines and Allied Tour and Travel.

Cleo was a woman of strong faith and conviction and an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Sioux City, where she served as an elder and regular volunteer for Lenten lunches. In addition, she was a member of Quota International and La Sertoma. Cleo traveled to Africa on safari as a young woman, crossed the ocean to Europe on an ocean liner, and lived in Spain with her family. In addition, she traveled to many countries, including Israel, Turkey and Costa Rica, and most of the United States. Cleo loved nature, birds, the mountains and the ocean. She was a passionate gardener, always digging in the dirt, planting and tending her flowers. Her other hobbies included reading, music, theater and the arts. Cleo was a lifelong lover of learning and teaching others. She shared the beauty and culture of each place she traveled and while living at Sunrise Retirement Community she would mentor young people. Above all, Cleo had a heart of gold and would do anything for another.

Cleo is survived by her daughter, Tracy Long of Reston, Va.; her son, Ledyard B. Long III "Skip" of Nederland, Colo.; one sister, Janice Lawrence of Oceanside, Calif.; two nephews, Craig (Julie) Busskohl and John (Susie) Busskohl; one niece, Lieuen (Ronald) Kurucz; two stepdaughters, Cathy (Mike) Stone and Kelly Richeal; and numerous cousins in the Busskohl and Fisher families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John H. and Lillian A. Busskohl; a brother and sister-in-law, Charles D. and Eleanor (Sissy) Busskohl; and one brother-in-law, David Lawrence.

Expressions of sympathy may be shown by floral arrangements or memorial contributions directed to the Cleo Long Memorial Fund (the family will direct donations to a charity that Cleo cherished).