Charles P. Long

Charles Peter Long was born on February 23, 1929 in Chicago, IL, the son of Aloysius and Elsie (Beck) Long. At the age of two he moved with his family to a small farm near Finlayson, MN where he grew up and went to school. In 1946 Chuck joined the U.S. Army Air Force. He trained as an Aircraft mechanic in San Antonio. During his time in the service he was stationed in Biloxi, MS, Manchester NH, Roswell NM, and Cape Cod, MA. Chuck was in Roswell when a UFO famously crashed in the desert outside of town. He served as a mechanic of the P51 Mustang. In 1949 Chuck was discharged and worked a few odd jobs before going to auto mechanic school in Mankato. Following this he came to Albert Lea. On September 7, 1963 Chuck married Ilo Yvonne Flugum at Lunder Lutheran Church. He worked for UBC as a yard man for several years, was self-employed doing craft work, and worked for Standard Oil.
Survivors include his wife Ilo; children James Long, Steve (Laurie) Long, LaWanna (Tim) Soby, Clair “Dag” (Jo) Dagestad. Dennis (Sharon) Dagestad, Dean (Pam) Dagestad, Sue (Steve) Bottelson, Curt (Steph) Long, and Kent (Sherry Roth) Long; 21 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one on the way, and one great-grandchild; sisters Sarah Ketter and Edith (Steve) Reynolds, and many nieces and nephews.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, his son Paul Long, brothers Robert Long and John Long, brothers-in-law Jim Ketter and Richard McFarland, sister-in-law Eileen Flugum and niece Barb Schwartz.