PRESTON, Frederick Ivan "Fred" - b. October 20, 1933 - d. January 11, 2023

[patyrn]

Frederick Ivan Preston, a lifelong resident of Howard and Elk County, Kansas, passed away January 11, 2023 at Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, Kansas.  He was born October 20, 1933 west of Howsard on the family farm to Otis and Hazel (Greenwood) Preston.

Fred was raised alongside his 8 brothers and sisters.  Fred was the oldest son.  He rode his horse one and a half miles to attend a one-room school before having to quit school to help his father fulltime on the farm due to the death of his uncle.

In September 1974, Fred married Dorothy Ward and became Dad to her three children.  They moved to the family farm in 1975 when Fred's father retired, and he continued raising crops and cattle. He loved the farm life and could make anything grow.  He was known for his garden, especialy his turnips.  He continued raising cattle until 2000 when his health began deteriorating.  He and Dorothy then retired and moved into Howard.  Although retired, he would still be seen at the Eureka Livestock Auction watching the cattle being bought and sold up until just a few weeks ago.l

Free time didn't come around very often, but Fred and Dorothy loved to go camping and would take their camper to Beaver Lake and spend as much time as they could.  They also loved devoting time to their church.  Fred became a member of the First Baptist Church in Howard in 1973 and quickly became part of the friendly congregation.  He has served as teacher, usher, trustee, and deacon, which he was very proud of.

Fred is survived by his wife, Dorothy Preston; his children, Steven (Loretta) Ward of Gardner, Kansas, Susan (Justin) Maples of Augusta, Kansas, and Sheryl (Rob) Mackowiak of Chicago, Illinois; his grandchildren, Bradley Ward, Mike WArd, Brent Burke, Katie Smith, Alex Mackowiak, and Anna Mackowiak; great-grandchildren, Cooper, Tatum, Seth, Chase, Mikenna, Myla, Maci, and Reece; and his siblings, Dennis (Sharon Cowden) Preston of Wichita, Kansas, Dorothy Walta of Bonner Springs, Kansas, and Sue (Marty) Wacker of Lansing, Kansas.  He is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Ruth Preston and Joyce Lord; his brothers, Dean Preston and Orvan Preston; and his grandson, Eddie Bonnette.

Family will receive friends at visitation on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 135 N. Cedar, Howard, Kansas.  Interment will folow in Cresco Cemetery north of Howard.

Memorial contributions inn honor of Fred can be made to the First Baptist Church of Howard and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349 has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)