Obituary of Adeline S. Longshaw

Addie was born at home, December 21, 1930, in Little Falls, MN. She was the youngest of 7 children born to Michael A. and Frances (Kammermeyer) Grittner. She passed October 28, 2010 at her home east of Preston, surrounded by family. She was united in marriage with Melvin Joseph Peka in 1950, and to this union 5 children were born.She lived and raised her family in San Diego where she met and married Joseph Frederick Longshaw on October 12, 1969 She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin, her husband Joseph, her brothers Leander, Sylvester, Elmer, and Alfred, her sisters Elaine and Sara, and her son Joseph. She is survived by 3 daughters and 1 son: Patricia Weitz and her son Raymond Weitz of the home, Teresa Kidney and her husband Chuck of Ft. Collins, CO, Regina Charlton and her husband Virgil of Branch, MO, Michael Peka of Santa Barbara, CA, 11 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many friends and adopted family members. Addie grew up in Minnesota. She lettered in tumbling in school and graduated in 1949. She later earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration in San Diego, CA. The family moved to Alaska in 1970 for two years where she learned to snow ski, run a TV station, create ceramics, and become a crack shot with a rifle. She retired from a career in civil service in 1992 and moved to Hickory County with her husband Joe, a retired Navy Chief. They were happily married 35 years, until his passing in 2004. She was actively involved in many civic and community organizations including the Hickory County Community Foundation, the Tri-County Literacy Coalition, the Good Neighbor Club, the HCFRW, NARFE, PTA, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Garden Club, Mensa, Red Hat Society, and many others. She loved gardening and was known for her special life-like scarecrow characters. She loved doing things with her family such as camping, games, and story-telling. Every year her kids, grandkids, and other kids of all ages would gather in her kitchen to build gingerbread houses with her. She loved participating in the Christmas parades and was an awesome Mrs. Claus. She really enjoyed dressing up and acting silly�from tea parties with her granddaughters to acting on stage in community productions. She was known as the �Story Lady� to local kindergarteners and 1st graders. She was the family historian and genealogy expert. She was an avid sci-fi fan and a retired Starfleet Admiral. She loved to work on puzzles, play Bingo, Scrabble, and go to dinner theaters. She was a terrific mom, and a great role model. She was loved and respected by all who knew her. Her kindness touched the lives of many. She put her heart and soul into helping others. She will be greatly missed.