Kenneth Preston

Ken Preston passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Hillsboro Medical Center Nursing Home, Hillsboro, ND, surrounded by his loving family, after a long courageous battle, at the age of 65. He had many years of struggles with brain tumors/cancer and prostate cancer – he beat the odds and lived his life to the fullest to the end.

Kenneth R. Preston was born on August 7, 1958, the son of Ernest and Ardith (Rubash) Preston in Moorhead, MN. Ken grew up in Grandin where he received his education, graduating from high school in 1976. After high school, he attended North Dakota School of Science in Wahpeton where he received a degree in small engine repair.

Kenneth was united in marriage to Donna Rude on August 18, 1984, at the Grandin Presbyterian Church. Together they made their home in Grandin where they raised their family.

In his younger years, Ken owned a small engine repair shop and worked for Dakota Fertilizer in Grandin. He later worked for Cargill and Busch Agricultural Resources in Grandin prior to their closing, then transferred to the West Fargo location where he worked until his declining health forced his early retirement.

Throughout the years, Ken was very active in his community serving on the Grandin Volunteer Fire Department as fire chief, served as a city councilman, was a trustee at the Grandin Presbyterian Church, and also coached his children when they were young playing T-Ball. He loved his time hunting, fishing and camping outdoors, but most of all, he cherished the time spent with his family. In the last years when he couldn’t experience these things first-hand, he continued to be a part of his kid’s lives through pictures and text messages sent to him.

Ken is survived by his wife, Donna Preston of Grandin; his daughter, Nicole (Ben) Preston Rueter of East Bethel, MN; his son, Tony Preston of Grandin; two very special grandchildren – Isaiah and Eliana Rueter; his sister, BeLinda (Larry) Brandt of Wyndmere, ND; his brother, Jamie (Patti) Preston of Harwood, ND; his niece, Makenzie Preston; and his nephew, Brady (Lauren Rossman) Preston. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and several other very dear relatives including aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; his parents-in-law, and a sister-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Grandin QRU, the Hunter Ambulance, or the Grandin/Gardner Fire Department.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE: 2 PM Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo – with a visitation one hour prior (livestreamed on the funeral home website for those unable to attend)

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo. To sign the online guest book, please visit our website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com