Mary Parilla DeLong (97) quietly passed away Friday in the loving arms of her sister and with family present at her home in Wiley Creek Community in Sweet Home, OR.

Mary was born on June 5, 1915 on a farm south of Sentinel Butte, ND, the fourth of five children of John Truman and Nancy A. (Smith) Hollenbeck. She attended Rocky Butte Country School and Sentinel Butte High School graduating in 1933 then moved to Washington state. Following graduation from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Bellingham, WA in 1939 she worked in Ketchikan, Alaska.

In 1944 she joined the US Army Nurse Corps serving overseas on Leyete Island in the Philippines and in Japan. Her second tour of duty was served at Vista Del Arroya Army Hospital in Pasadena, CA. A third tour of duty was at Ft. McArthur, San Pedro, CA where she was honorably discharged with a rank of 1st Lieutenant in 1952.

Mary married Ora Delbert DeLong “Dee” in Beach, ND in 1949 making their home in Lakewood, CA where she retired from Rancho Los Amigos Hospital. Mary and Dee moved to Foster, OR in 1971 and upon Dee’s passing Mary moved into the Wiley Creek Community where she has lived with her sister, Dorothy.

She was an associate member of WAR mothers, a life member in the American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary, the VFW, the VFW Auxiliary, the DAV Auxiliary, associate member of the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division, charter member of the Women in Military Service for America, and the Sweet Home Senior Center. She was a member of the Sweet Home Mennonite Church.

Mary is joining her parents, husband, sisters Viola Wilson and Luella May, brothers Bill and Glenn Hollenbeck, and nephews Bill May and Mike Johansen in the loving embrace of our Lord. Her sister Dorothy Potter, nieces, nephews, and numerous relatives and friends remember her unconditional love and know how blessed they are to have been part of her life.

Memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 7, at Sweet Home Mennonite Church with Pastor Pete Kauffman officiating. Graveside services will be held at a later date in Sentinel Butte, ND. In lieu of flowers, Mary would appreciate a contribution to your favorite charity.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.