Centenarian remembered as a hard worker
BY SOUMITRO SEN, soumitros@theunion.com
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12:40 a.m. PT May 6, 2008
Edna Ohnstad’s son remembers her as a hardworking and tough woman, who was a very nice person.
Ohnstad, a long-time resident of Grass Valley, died April 29 at Spring Hill Manor on Joerschke Drive at the age of 100.
“I loved her very much,” said 73-year-old Jack Long, Ohnstad’s only surviving child. “We had our own differences every once in a while, as everyone does. But she was my mother.”
Ohnstad enjoyed sewing, cooking, gardening, gambling and trips to Reno. She was a member of the Senior Center of Grass Valley and Rosie the Riveter during World War II.
Ohnstad was born May 31, 1907, in Dutch Flat to George and Clara Birlingham. She was married to Arthur Jack Long in 1925 and lived for several years in Hawthorne, Calif., where her husband worked in the construction business, Jack Long said.
Ohnstad is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Patti Long of Grass Valley; niece, Deloris Weiss of Sacramento; daughter-in-law, Mary Clemo of Downieville, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Raymond Birlingham; sons, Howard, Leonard and Donald Clemo; and sisters, Leola Nichols, Jennie Barton and Myrtle Girard.
Family and friends are invited to a graveside service at 1:30 p.m., Friday, May 9. Ohnstad will be buried at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Grass Valley.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are being performed under the direction of Hooper and Weaver Mortuary in Nevada City.
To contact Soumitro Sen, e-mail ssen@theunion.com or call 477-4229.
