Joni E. Long, 42, passed away July 29, 2025 at her home in Rapid City, SD.

Joni Elizabeth Long was born August 22, 1982 in Rock Rapids, IA to Dori Rogers and Rick Long.  Joni moved with her mother and two older siblings to Chamberlain, SD in 1994.  She attended Chamberlain Schools for several years and then she attained her GED.  She began working full-time at various fast food restaurants and other jobs.

Joni had a love of animals especially cats and training dogs.  She had adopted nine abandoned cats and trained two dogs while in Chamberlain.  She worked as a volunteer in a cat and dog shelter in Pierre, SD cleaning cages, taking care of pets that were brought into the shelter.  She leaves behind her cat Pepper in Rapid City, SD.

Joni gave birth to her oldest daughter, Grace on Joni's birthday in 2007.  Her daughter, Kelsey was born almost a year later in 2008.  Joni's two daughters were her pride and joy and she was very active in their lives.  Joni was found mentally and physically disabled but continued to raise her two children.

Sadly, Joni was introduced to methamphetamine in 2015 and after one use, was severely addicted.  Joni spent the next over ten years battling her disabilities and addictions.

Joni leaves behind her two daughters Grace and Kelsey Mousseau of Chamberlain, SD; her mother and stepfather Dori Rogers and Dave Hrdlicka of Chamberlain, SD; her father and stepmother Rick and Pat Long of Rock Rapids, IA; two older siblings Abrianne Taylor and Camden of Kalispell, MT and Bill Long of Kimball, SD; her special and loving friend Rickey Fuhs of Rapid City, SD; and her buddy Pepper the cat.

Preceding her in death were her maternal and paternal grandparents and an infant sister Shane Anne.

There will be a private family gathering at a later date.

The family urges anyone to please call 988 - Help Line Center for Mental Health & Addiction