Heidi Lang
1955 ~ 2021
LaPoint, UT – Heidi Ann Clerico Long, 66, died on April 8, 2021 after a brief, highly competitive battle with pancreatic cancer at her home.
Heidi was born on April 2, 1955 in Sandy, Utah, to Arnold and Reba Baker Clerico. She was the second of three children. When she was 9 years old, she moved from Sandy to Lapoint and started her farm life. Every morning she and her sister Dusty got up at 4 a.m. to tend the family animals, and that was the first thing they did when they got home from school. She even learned to drive the family’s 1969 Chevrolet one-ton cattle truck. She graduated from Uintah High School in 1973.
Heidi was introduced to the love of her life, Danny Long, by her sister Dusty. After they started dating, Danny went missing on the weekends. One day Heidi asked Danny what he was doing on the weekend without her; he replied “fishing” and she said “I like fishing too” and from then on they spent their weekends fishing together. They were married on October 13, 1973 in Lapoint. They lived in Ogden while Danny finished college before permanently returning to Lapoint. They had their first child on April 23, 1974, a daughter, Amy Jo, who died immediately after giving birth. Despite the grief and sadness of losing a child, they had five more children; four sons and one daughter.
Heidi loved spending time outside in the garden and taking care of her flowers. Every year she planted a large garden for the whole family. She always had a lot of help when it came to picking the fruits and vegetables and being able to do so. She enjoyed cooking large family dinners, especially during the holidays. She also enjoyed making quilts and blankets for her children and grandchildren and passing on her knowledge to them.
Heidi loved spending time outdoors, camping, hunting, fishing, boating, and quad biking with her family. Most family vacations were spent visiting the national parks. Almost every weekend in spring and summer was spent with the family in Flaming Gorge, Red Fleet, Starvation or Ice Cave Peak and Paradise Park.
Heidi’s greatest joy was watching and supporting her children and 10 grandchildren in practically all sports: soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, athletics, volleyball, soccer, hockey and gymnastics from youth leagues, high school and college. She was the mother and grandma of the ultimate sport, attending every possible event, cheering loudly and stepping on referees only when necessary. She also loved attending major league baseball games, including spring training in Arizona and Florida.
Heidi’s smile and radiant personality will be very missed by her family and friends.
Heidi is survived by her husband Danny; their children, Danny Jr. (Elissa) of Lapoint, UT; Eli (Carrie) of Washington Terrace, UT; John “Andy” (Brooke) from Erie, CO; Lori from Lapoint, UT; and Adam (Melissa) from Kearney, NE; her grandsons Anthony, Brandon, Alexander, Ataya, Amy, Audrey, Gabriella, TaiLee, Austin, and Emily; her sister Delores “Dusty” (Mark) Deardorff from Lapoint, UT; her brother Kent (Karen) Clerico of Red Wing, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
Heidi preceded her daughter Amy Jo in death; her parents, Arnold & Reba; Grandparents, aunts and uncles.
The funerals will be broadcast live on www.hullingermortuary.com. The memorial service will take place on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Uintah Conference Center, 313 East 200 South, Vernal. On Friday from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. and before the funeral service on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10.45 a.m., there will be a tour of the conference center.
The funeral will take place in the Lapoint cemetery.
The family would like to express special thanks to the Good Shepherd Home Care and Hospice for the care they have given them and Dr. Norman and Mary Nielson for all of the blessings and comforts they have provided during this time of need.
Expressions of condolences can be found at www.hullingermortuary.com
Published by The Salt Lake Tribune April 10 to April 21, 2021.
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