Kathy Sue Long

Kathy Sue Long, 72, of Bridgman passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph.

A funeral service will be held 11 AM on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Glendora, 1733 W. Glendora Road, Buchanan, MI 49107, with Reverend Jonathan Liebich officiating. Friends may meet with the family from 6-8 PM on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, The Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman, MI 49106. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Bridgman. Memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church of Glendora. Online condolences accepted at www.PikeFH.com.

Kathy was born on March 6, 1954 in St. Joseph, the daughter of the late Richard Mensinger and Betty (Hingst) Dunning. On August 9, 1975 she married Robert Long, Jr.

Kathy was a wildly creative and endlessly passionate woman whose remarkable energy and imagination touched countless lives. An award-winning float builder, seamstress, cake decorator, event designer, coach, mentor, and community leader, she had a gift for making everything she touched extravagant, memorable, and unforgettable. From working at Doug’s Bakery while in high school and driving a forklift at Heath Company, to helping her husband with his potato chip delivery route and later becoming co-owner of Long Distributing, she was never afraid of hard work. She could unload huge semis, sometimes by herself, and was always ready to step in wherever she was needed.

For 25 years, she served as a youth leader alongside her husband, coaching award-winning softball and basketball teams and assisting with countless teams from Little League through high school. Her creativity truly came alive through the incredible variety shows she directed and designed at Bridgman High School for six years, and through her seven years as Chairman of the Bridgman Float Committee, where her extraordinary floats earned Sweepstakes honors. She also shared her talents as an elementary school room mother, story time leader at the Bridgman Library, youth fair judge, and was devoted to her church, serving as Secretary of Trinity Lutheran Church in Glendora for 47 years.

She brought brightness, excitement, and possibility into the lives of everyone around her and showed those she loved that the world was meant to be experienced fully and joyfully. Above all, she was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, whose love for her family was matched only by the strength of her faith. Her boundless enthusiasm, generous spirit, and extraordinary ability to turn ordinary moments into something special will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Robert, Jr.; children: Stacey (Matthew) Sprague, Jodie (Brian) Goodwin, and Rob Long III; two granddaughters: Kaylee Sprague and Ellie Goodwin; brothers: Lynn (Vickye) Mensinger, Dennis (Debra) Mensinger, Donald Mensinger, and James Mensinger; sister, Nancy Mensinger; sister-in-law, Pamela Kelm; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Kathy was also preceded in death by her father-in-law, Robert Long, Sr.; mother-in-law, Marie Long; brother-in-law, Rodger Kelm, and two nephews: Kyle Mensinger and Ryan Mensinger.

Arrangements are entrusted to Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, The Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy., Bridgman, MI 49106.