The husband and wife at the center of a family whose lives have been cut short are being remembered for their service and commitment to helping others — after a trip exploring Utah’s outdoors turned tragic.
Provo Fire and Rescue Captain, Spencer Long, his wife Katrina and their three sons were killed in a flash flood near Sunglow Campground in Wayne County on July 17.
During memorial services held for the family on Wednesday, July 29, Provo Fire Battalion Chief Jeremy Moon described Captain Long as “a very down-to-earth person,” KSL reported.
Moon continued by saying when the public encountered Captain Long, they always saw “a very professional, compassionate, charitable and honest firefighter and paramedic.”
Katrina Gubler Long was known as a fierce businesswoman, outdoors enthusiast and hockey mom who along with her family “loved to be out in the mountains, out in the canyons,” a close friend and co-worker told KSL during a vigil earlier in July.
Katrina and business partner Sam Butler co-founded Summit Medical Spa, which operates in Spanish Fork and Eagle Mountain.
Katrina and Spencer, both 44, at the time of their death, were married for over 16 years, and had been living in Mona.
They had four children, two of which — Lydia Vernon and Reid Vernon — were brought into the union from Katrina’s previous marriage.
Lydia was not with the family during the trip, but the three boys Reid, 20, Thayne, 13, and Gage, 12, were all overtaken by the rushing water and debris of the flood and lost their lives.
Those who knew Katrina, said she was a faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, served on the Mona City Council and often volunteered her time in the community.
Leaders at Tabitha’s Way Local Food Pantry in Spanish Fork was one of the places Katrina spent time giving back.
“She faithfully volunteered at our Spanish Fork pantry, serving with a joyful heart and an unwavering commitment to helping others,” pantry organizers wrote in a July 21 Facebook post. “She didn’t just give of her own time—she inspired those around her to serve as well, even bringing her entire staff to volunteer alongside her.”
Executive Director Wendy Osborne met Katrina through a business networking group several years ago and said she admired her passion for business and helping others.
“My first thought of her was I have got to be friends with this woman —I’ve got to have this woman in my life because she’s just amazing,” Osborne said.
Like the many others who have shared memories and heartfelt words about the Long family, the hurt runs deep at Tabitha’s Way in Spanish Fork, where staff spent countless hours with Katrina where she’d often volunteer.
“She was here the Thursday before she passed,” Osborne said, adding that she will always remember Katrina as a strong, fierce mother and businesswoman who took every challenge placed before her head on.
“If I was going to say anything about Katrina, I think that she would want for us to remain strong, to carry on, to honor her as a person by each day stepping forward and doing our absolute best and loving others as best we can,” Osborne said.
