M. Louise DeLong died peacefully Tuesday, October 7, 2014, at The Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings, SD. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2014. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Brookings at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow. Preceding that, a private family burial service will be held at 11:00 am. Mary Louise Franks DeLong was born on October 8, 1907, in Alexandria, South Dakota, the daughter of James Harvey Franks and Charity Irene Abbott Franks. Louise's first twelve years of education were at the Fulton, SD schools. She attended South Dakota State University from 1925 to 1929, and graduated in Home Economics. She taught high school Home Economics in Letcher, SD from 1929-1931. From 1931 to 1933 she was a Home Extension Agent for the SDSU Extension Service and served Faulk, Potter and Walworth counties while living in Gettysburg, SD. She married Henry Herbert DeLong, from Tulare, SD, and their wedding was in the Fulton Methodist Church on July 28, 1933. They lived in Mitchell for three years before moving to Brookings in 1935. During the 1940's, 50's and 60's she was very active in Christian Education as a volunteer member of the Conference Leadership Training Team of the Methodist Church, and helped conduct laboratory schools in churches throughout the state and other parts of the country including Chaplaincy units at various US military installations. She was very active in the education activities of her local Methodist church. She was an active member in the SDSU Faculty Wives club during the time her husband Henry DeLong was on the SDSU faculty. She was active in the local arts community, and enjoyed making pottery and participated in the early years of the Brookings Art Festival. She loved to sew and read and took pride in being a homemaker in addition to her other activities outside the home. In 2006 she was named a SDSU Distinguished Alumna, and for a time she was the oldest SDSU alumnus. Louise enjoyed most of all, being with family, friends and learners. Entertaining was an opportunity to make guests feel special; sharing her interest in art, craft and books by hosting or participating in a small group made others feel comfortable; demonstrating handicraft skills calmed and engaged even active children; and she is remembered for pursuing these things in an intentional and disciplined way. A lifelong citizen of South Dakota and a resident of Brookings since 1935, she made a memorable and cherished impression on many people. Louise is survived by her two children MaryAnn Studenberg of Hickory, NC and Max DeLong (Marilyn) of Saint Paul, MN. Her grandchildren include Scott Studenberg, Chapel Hill, NC; Ann Vaughn of Granite Falls, NC; Mary Jo Wilson of Plain WI; and Thomas DeLong of Saint Paul, MN. She had 7 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. As an Aunt, she is fondly remembered by two nieces and eight nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Henry DeLong, her brother Glen Franks, her sisters Helen Bumgardner and Elsie Graham. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.eidsnessfuneralhome.com. Memorial gifts can be sent to the South Dakota Art Museum, Box 2250, Brookings, SD 57006-0899; Attn: Louise DeLong Memorial Fund.