Kay Preston
August 2, 1943 ~ November 11, 2020
Kay passed away on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND at the age 77.
Kay F. Abentroth was born on August 2, 1943 in Hillsboro, ND, the daughter of Erle and Teresa (McDonald) Abentroth. She grew up on the family farm near Cummings, ND and received her education, graduating from Buxton High School. She continued her schooling at Business College in Fargo, ND.
Kay was united in marriage to Duane Preston on November 20, 1965 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hillsboro. They made their home in Moorhead, later moving to Hallock, MN and to East Grand Forks, MN in 1977 where they have lived since that time. Kay devoted her entire life to God, her family and friends.
Kay is survived by her husband, Duane of East Grand Forks, MN; her three children – Jeffrey (Darla) Preston of Hillsboro, ND; Teresa (Scott) Noeske of Moorhead, MN; and Michael (Laura) Preston of Mapleton, ND; and her beloved grandchildren – Jacob, Nicholas, Samuel, Olivia, and Alexis. Also surviving are her siblings – Michael “Mikey” (Sallie) Abentroth of Choteau, MT; Barb (Neil) Nelson of Harvey, ND; Douglas (Sue) Abentroth of Hillsboro, ND; David Abentroth of Climax, MN; Greg (Vickie) Abentroth of Cummings, ND; Scott (Stephanie) Abentroth of Nielsville, MN; Kevin Abentroth of Cummings, ND; and several nieces and nephews and many other dear relatives.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Erle and Teresa Abentroth; and her brother, Charles Abentroth.
Honorary pallbearers include all of Kay's nieces and nephews.
Private family services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Wildeman-Boulger Funeral Home in Hillsboro – Services will be live streamed on the funeral home website. Burial will be held at the Caledonia Cemetery in Caledonia, ND.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Hospice of the Red River Valley or to the Caledonia Cemetery Fund.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Wildeman-Boulger Funeral Home in Hillsboro. To sign the online guest book, please visit our website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
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We are so sorry for your loss. Kay was such a special woman. So kind and thoughtful. Know of our thoughts and prayers.
May God be with you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Duane, and ( All of you “kids” )
Where do I begin to tell you about a 44+ year friendship? Watching each other’s kids grow up, daily coffee, graduations, weddings, grand babies.. Ups and downs, tears and laughter.. Kay’s kindness,and her giving spirit was spread to many.. I could go on and on . I loved Kay, and I will miss her so much..My heart is with you, and my arms are around you..
She is an angel in heaven now. God Bless you..
Duane, so deeply sorry to hear of Kays passing. Our deepest condolences to you and your entire family. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Duane, Jeff, Teresa and Mike
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was truly special to our entire family, she will never be forgotten. I will always remember the times we had as kids, and our Mother’s friendship through many years. Her faith in God demonstated a wonderful example to all that knew her. She is an angel now…hold tight to all your special memories.
So sorry to hear of Kay’s passing. My love and prayers to all of you.
Dear Duane, Mike, Teresa and Jeff,
I am so sorry for your loss. Kay was an amazing “neighborhood mom”. I have so many good memories of hanging out with Mike and talking to Kay in the kitchen. Again, I am truly sorry.
Duane, so sorry to learn of Kay’s passing. My first thoughts took me back to Caledonia, and growing up knowing Kay and her whole family. She was a good person – my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Duane & family.
There just are no words we can say to ease your pain. Kay was such a great friend & meant the world to us.
Our love, thoughts & prayers are with you all.
Gary & Chris Shields
Duane and family, We have loved Kay and you since the day we moved in next door in 1997. Kay was truly a kind and sweet person. We will never forget all the neighborly greetings and fun times. And all the times Kay would run over with fresh baked buns and homemade jam to bring with us on our weekend excursions to the lake or my little flower planting parties I had with Kay. And when we moved to the lake, it was our neighbors we missed most of all and especially Kay. We will always have our sweet memories of Kay! I know we have another angel in Heaven watching over! Take care Duane, we want to come see you when we get past this COVID! ❤️ Steve and Dee Jenson
Duane and family, our thoughts and prayers to each of of you at this difficult time. Kay will truly be missed … the Gates above have gained a beautiful “Angel” way to early💕🙏🏻
Duane: So sorry for the loss of your beloved wife Kay. Prayers for your family.
I admired Kay from the first day we met. I wanted to be her friend and when I became one I was proud. I still am. She was fun and good and kind. I loved the sparkle in her eye. Being with Kay just made me feel better. My sympathies to her family and to of us who loved her.
Our deepest sympathies to all of you during this difficult time. Please know that others care and share in your grief.
Cheri & Jim Goertz
Dear Prestons, we were saddened to hear of Kay’s passing. We are former neighbors around the corner on James. Such a lovely lady with a grand smile and a twinkle in her eye. She will be missed. Blessed be her memory.
Dear Duane and family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers today. I love the picture you chose of Kay. The joy she shared with everyone she met is evident in this one picture. Such a beautiful woman! Her light shined in our lives and will shine in the legacy she has left. God bless you with love and prayers!
Our prayers go to you Duane and family. So sorry for your loss. Kay was a great person and will be missed by all. Don and Darryle Carlson
We will be thinking of you today during the services. You have chosen a beautiful picture of Kay depicting her beautiful smile and love of life and Family in her eyes. She was a beautiful soul inside and out who will be never forgotten. Condolences, thoughts and prayers to all. Rest In Peace Dear Friend.
To all the Preston Family. I’m so sorry for your loss!! The good lord has received a special angle in Kay. She will be truly missed by me and so many people. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We Love you all so Much
SARGE AND FAMILY…ACCEPT OUR SYMPATHY ON THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVED ONE…
ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO KAY, OH LORD…AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON HER…MAY SE REST IN PEACE, AMEN…
Dan and Irene
My thoughts and prayers are with you. So very sorry for your loss.
Sarge, and Family –
Gerry and I were devastated to hear of Kay’s passing. We will miss her smile and wave from next door each time we leave our driveway. We are happy she is no longer in pain, but she is in God’s care now – in a better place. Please accept our condolences and sympathy. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you and your family.
Duane and family;
Glad I was able to share in the beautiful service for Kay via technology. She was indeed loved deeply by her family as well as by her friends. I will remember the 5 “F’s”–starting with Faith, Family, Friends, Fun and Food. May you feel God’s Presence and His Peace. Love to all…MaryMary
Duane I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Kay. The service was beautiful. Her kindness and love will continue to live on though all the lives she touched. Sending thoughts and prayers that you feel GODS hands over you as you and your family walk the path ahead of you.
Kay was another of those loveable Abentroth rascals. I moved away early enough to have missed out on most of the Cotton-Abentroth-Preston interactions but have fond memories of the early days, and those few times when we all got together. My sympathies and condolences to the family.
Sarge,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Kay. You will be in my thoughts and prayers may you find peace in the memories and surround yourself with those grandchildren who will bring a smile to your face.
So sorry to hear of your loss. I grew up just a few miles from Kay and all the other Abentroth kids. God Bless all of you.
Sorry to hear about the loss of special lady Kay . I sort of grew up with her as a neighbor of the Abentroths in Cummings ND. Memories are reflected of pajama parties at their farm house along with her sister Barbara. We had a lot of laughs and good times. She will surely be missed by a lot of people. She had the greatest personality. My sincere sympathies to the Abentroth family from Barbara Cuthbertson Skusa
Uncle Duane & Family,
I, along with everyone who knew Kay, will surely miss her positive outlook and unconditional love she had for all her family & friends. She was undoubtedly the kindest, most giving and loving person I’ll ever know despite the physical ailments she endured for so many years – which she never complained about. Her unwavering belief in God, compassion and empathy for others are attributes I’ll always remember about my Aunt.
I feel blessed and very fortunate to have known someone who exhibited the best qualities of what a person could be and offer that to so many people without expecting anything in return. Kay was truly a Saint on this earth.
Dear Uncle Duane & Kay’s family,
Aunt Kay was such a lovely person on both the inside & out!! She was always in a good mood/spirit lifted no matter what pain level she was enduring as I recall when growing up back there & subsequent visits at Carol & DeVere’s when they’d oftentimes stop by when nearby Fargo to visit. Always, she had some homemade goodie to give; such as buns or jam, and it was a treasured gift from her generous heart! In fact, she never showed up anywhere empty handed so at Jack & Margaret’s big anniversary party in recent years, she setup a banquet table of her “famous” five different flavors of jam jars, each intricately decorated & delicious!! I counted approx.100 in disbelief that anyone was capable or would take the time to do that in order to give it away. As we chatted, she informed me that she had donated the same quantity for her grandchild’s fundraiser only weeks prior – amazing I thought & expressed, “You are the only person I know of who does that!”
I was a 3 yr. old, flower girl in Kay & Duane’s wedding and still have my tiny pink with red velvet dress as a fond memory that Mom saved for me over the years. I remember, vividly, what a beauty Kay was in her White lace, wedding dress & veil as she beamed a peaches and cream complexion, kind yet stunning eyes and contagious smile. From that day forward she exuded grace, generosity, kindness and devout faith…
She loved praying the Rosary I know.
May she be sitting down at Christ’s table this night of Christmas Eve.
She was one of a kind and will be dearly missed,
Claudia (Preston) Storey