10/12/2006
Leona Mae (Benscoter) Preston was born in Harvey, Iowa on July 27, 1930. She was one of three
children born to Anna Mae Burkhart and Edgar Benscoter. Leona attended school in
the Harvey and Knoxville Schools. She was a 1949 graduate of Knoxville High School.
In March 1964 Leona was united in marriage to William Edward Preston. To this union,
two children were born.
After William’s death on January 9, 1965, Leona was left to raise two small children.
She worked for several years at the local overall factory. Later Leona began working
at Pella Corp. She retired in 1992 after over 30 years of employment. During this
time her mother, Anna Mae helped to raise the children. Anna Mae eventually moved
in with the family to become part of their household.
Leona was a member of the Harvey Assembly of God Church. She was president of the
local Parents Without Partners organization for several years. After the children
left home, Leona began spending time doing crafts. She enjoyed making fleece blankets
for all the family as well as for sales. She also knitted dish clothes and baby
quilts. Her love of flowers took much of her summer hours. Lilies and roses were
my favorite flowers, especially calla lilies.
Leona Mae Preston passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2006, at the Mercy Medical
Center in Des Moines at the age of 76 years, 2 months, and 15 days.
Preceding her death were her father, husband, stepson, Rich Mellinger, and brother-in-law, Don Vance.
Those left to mourn her passing are two children and their spouses, William “Bill”
and Joan Preston of Knoxville and Mary and Ken Killian of Papillion, NE; her mother,
Anna Mae Burkhart Benscoter of Knoxville; three grandchildren, Ashley Preston of
Houston, TX, Madeilline “Maddie” Preston of Knoxville and Victoria Killian of Papillion,
NE; two sisters and their spouses, Verda and Dick Kruse of Bloomfield and Anna Marie
and Bill Visser of Harvey; two step-daughters, Pam McKinney and her husband, Ed
of Spring Valley, IL, and Deb Vanwassenhove of Kewanee, IL as well as many nieces,
nephews and cousins.
A Celebration of Life was held at Williams Funeral Home on Monday, October 16, 2006
with Pastors Kirk Erwin and Michael Miller officiating. The interment was in Breckenridge
Cemetery in rural Marion County, Iowa. Casket bearers were Mike Bozak, Paul Derringer,
Ken Killian, Bruce Phillips, Mike Robuck, and Danny Woolridge. Honorary casket bearers
were Hank Vander Heiden and David Vance. Vocal selections were “Concrete Angel”
sung by Maddie Preston, Leona’s granddaughter, and a CD of “Amazing Grace” by Don
Marsh’s chorus. Memorials in memory of Mrs. Preston may be made To Her Family.