In Remembrance

Jeffery Richard Longenecker, Señor Longenecker, age 60, passed from this life from an incurable neurological condition, surrounded by family at home in Superior, WI, August 23, 2022. He was born, as Jeff would say, “two weeks before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s birthday”, December 11, 1961, in Mankato, MN, to Richard and Kathleen (Hiemen) Longenecker. Jeff was their favorite and only son, born between 3 older sisters and 3 younger sisters.

Jeff graduated from Loyola Catholic High School, class of 1980, in Mankato, MN. Following graduation, he received his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Spanish, Mankato State University; studied theology at St. Mary’s College and St. Paul Seminary, Winona; received his Minnesota Education Licensure, Augsburg College, Minneapolis; and earned a Master of Arts in Education Administration, Mankato State University.

One of the founding kindergarten teachers of Park Spanish Immersion School, St. Louis Park, MN, Jeff’s bigger-than-life personality enthralled his 6-year-olds for years. In the nonprofit world, Jeff used his many talents of inclusion to connect people and groups to each other.

Jeff’s life here on earth will be remembered for his many different talents, gifts and attributes. He enjoyed gardening and tending to his 100’s of hostas, going to the cabin, cooking, entertaining, reading, traveling, quilting, oil painting, thrift store shopping, and especially making his Aunt Gloria’s Christmas and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies by the dozens, and sharing them with people he loved.

Jeff is survived by his husband, Paul Robinson, Superior, WI; mother, Kathleen (Hiemen) Longenecker, Mankato, MN; Sisters, Terri (Warren) Michels, Mankato, MN; Sue Morrison, Rochester, MN; Julie Longenecker, Mankato, MN; Patty (Jerry) Balster, Lakeville, MN; Jeannie (Jon) Putnam, Otsego, MN; Annie (Joe) Taschetta, Mankato, MN; mother-in-law, Sandra Robinson, Grand Forks, ND; brother-in-law, Tim (Pam) Robinson, Hutchinson, MN; many nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. He also leaves behind many friends and co-workers who will remember him for his inclusiveness.

Those greeting Jeff at Heaven’s gates are his father, Richard Longenecker; father-in-law, Tom Robinson; paternal grandparents, Jacob & Theresa Longenecker; maternal grandparents, Godfried (Fritz) & Sadie Hiemen; and his godparents, Art & Lois Willaert.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Mankato, MN, Sunday, September 18, 2022, 1:00pm.

Funeral Services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Superior, WI, Saturday, September 24, 2022, 11:00am.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy in lieu of flowers to consider making a donation to their favorite charity in Jeff’s name.