Frances Long Obituary

Frances Joan Gorman Long was the eldest daughter of Francis Patrick Gorman and Frances (Oliver) Gorman, born May 19, 1932, in Junction City, Kansas, and peacefully passed away August 19, 2025 in Olathe, Kansas at the age of 93.

She is survived by her husband, Kenneth E. Long of Olathe, Kansas, and two sisters, Virginia Ovenstone of Lawrence, Kansas, and Katherine (Jim) Zlogar of Kalispell, Montana. Frances was the loving mother of daughters Kay (Larry) McVay of Maineville, Ohio; Sara (Justin) Clements of Olathe, Kansas; sons Ted (Colleen) Long of Lindsborg, Kansas; Carl (Brenda) Long of North Richland Hills, Texas; and Kurt (Beth) Long of Olathe, Kansas. She was the proud grandmother of thirteen grandchildren and great-grandmother of twelve great-grandchildren.

Frances grew up in Chapman, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, who farmed and owned a dairy a few miles east of town. In her younger years, Frances would ride along with her dad to deliver milk to the families in Chapman. She attended Chapman Elementary School and graduated from Dickinson County Community High School in Chapman in May, 1950, before attending Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas. She married her high school sweetheart, Ken; they were blessed with nearly 75 years of marriage. In their early years of marriage, they lived in St. Louis, Missouri for a short time, and also Wichita, Kansas, before returning to Dickinson County to live in Enterprise, Kansas for Ken's employment with the Ehrsam Company. In 1963, they returned to the family farm five miles south of Chapman where they raised their five children. Frances enjoyed reading, singing, gardening, and entertaining friends and family, who always enjoyed her delicious meals and warm hospitality. It was her greatest joy to have her family gathered together at the farm for birthdays and holidays to create cherished memories of sharing love and fun. She and Ken relocated to Olathe in 2020.

Frances was an active member of St. Michael's Catholic parish in Chapman, Kansas, until her relocation to Olathe. During those years, she sang in the choir, was a member of the Altar Society, and volunteered for various ministries within the church. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grand/great grandmother and friend. Serving and nurturing others were two of her many gifts, and she was never too busy to help wherever needed.

Family will receive friends Saturday, August 23 at 10:00 am at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 210 East 6th Street, Chapman, Kansas, followed by the Rosary at 10:45am. A Mass and Christian Burial will follow at 11:00am, with Father Peter O'Donnell as Celebrant.

Memorials may be made to St. Michael's Catholic Church or to Ascend Hospice Care and may be sent in care of the Londeen-Overlease Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 411, Chapman, Kansas 67431.