Mass of Christian Burial for Joshua will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Ulm. Father Matthew Wiering will celebrate the Mass, and burial will follow in the New Ulm City Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 and continue from 9-10 a.m. on Saturday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – North Chapel in New Ulm.

To leave online condolences for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org.

At the funeral home, a memorial book will be available to write down your favorite memory of Joshua and put photographs in.

Josh is survived by his parents, Daniel and Julie Long of New Ulm; his sister, Angela (Joseph) Keys and their children Joseph William II and Melina of Plano, Texas, Kristina Long of New Ulm; and his brother, Zachary Long of New Ulm; he is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins; and his therapy cat Artemis (he adopted shortly after his diagnosis of cancer)

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frederick and JoAnn Voller; John and Norrine Long; his infant brother, Christian Matthew Long; cousin, David Hagen; and uncle, Olda Boubin.

Joshua Daniel Long was born June 24, 1996, in New Ulm to Daniel and Julie (Voller) Long. Joshua was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 5, which required him to have monthly chemotherapy treatments for 3+ years. This experience inspired him to pursue a career in the medical field. Joshua participated in Tae Kwon Do and received rank of High Red Belt. Joshua graduated from Cathedral High School in 2015 where he participated in football and golf. Although Joshua’s goal was to serve in the military as a combat medic, he was medically deferred because of his childhood leukemia diagnosis/treatment. Joshua then pursued his Nursing Degree at South Dakota State University, graduating 2019. Joshua was employed as a registered nurse on a pulmonary unit at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Joshua was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma of his right lung June 2020. After his diagnosis of cancer, Joshua returned to New Ulm and resided at his parent’s country home while dealing with his medical treatment; here he could enjoy the peace and tranquility of country living and view bountiful wildlife. He underwent four difficult rounds of chemotherapy and then had surgery to remove his right lung December 2020. Joshua had to undergo multiple follow-up surgeries since then. On September 22nd, Joshua learned that his cancer had returned. His comment was, “It will be alright.” Joshua enjoyed deer hunting, target shooting, the outdoors, Minnesota Viking football, sports cars, architecture legos, politics, playing Runescape, and going to movies, especially this past year. Joshua was very patriotic and loved the United States of America and valued the freedoms of this country.

Joshua’s legacy is to trust God’s plan for us. Joshua will forever be remembered for his kindness and gentleness. He faced each medical complication and multiple surgeries this past year courageously and with grace and dignity (he never complained or felt sorry for himself). Joshua’s life lesson is to teach us that life is fragile, as his Thoracic Surgeon told Joshua, “Enjoy each day God gives you and find joy each day.” Joshua will be missed by many, but we know he was watching over us and is at peace without any pain or suffering.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, First Choice Pregnancy Center, or the donor’s choice.

Mvfh.org

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