Cheryl R. Miller, 77, of Preston, Minn., died on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Mayo Clinic- St. Marys Campus in Rochester, Minn. Cheryl Rae Benson was born on September 5, 1946, in Preston, Minn., to Edward and Mary (Henke) Benson. She graduated from Preston-Fountain High School in 1964. After high school, Cheryl worked for the phone company in Preston for 30 years. She … [Read more...]
Preston Approves Paving Projects
At the September 18 meeting, the Preston, Minn., City Council approved two small paving projects that can be completed along with a third utility project. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. City Administrator Ryan Throckmorton said there could be savings by doing the projects together. The trail extension to the veterans home will be a city-only cost totaling $9,736.33. Griffin … [Read more...]
Marga M. Moen
Marga M. Moen, 97, of Preston, Minn., met her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at Mayo Clinic St. Marys Campus in Rochester, Minn. Marga Maria Neef was born February 1, 1926, in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany to Heinrich Neef and Christine Brocker. She grew up fast and tough in war-torn Germany. Marga was 11 years old at the start of WWII, enduring seven … [Read more...]
Preston Welcomes New Chamber Director
Lindsey Reding loved the time she spent living and working in Thailand, but she knew it wasn’t going to be permanent. Her place, she felt, was in Southeast Minnesota. “I have always loved this area and knew I would eventually want to come back,” she explained. While living in Preston and working as an Interpretive Naturalist at Forestville State Park, she heard about the open … [Read more...]
Judy (Hovelson) Hanek
Judy Hanek (Hovelson) passed away May 12, 2023, due to advanced Alzheimer’s. Judy was born in Preston, Minn., November 20, 1941, to Eugene and Carmen Hovelson. Judy went to nursing school and earned her LPN degree. While working as a nurse she met her first husband, Robert D. Hanek, MD. They lived in Denver, Colo., where she gave birth to her daughter Karen in 1963. … [Read more...]
Preston Adopts 2024 Preliminary Levy
The Preston City Council adopted the preliminary 2024 levy with an increase of 5.84% at their September 5 meeting. The preliminary levy is set at $1,201,705 with an increase of $66,301 from the 2023 levy. When the final levy is adopted in December it can be reduced but not increased. The preliminary numbers are used for property owner valuation notices. City Administrator … [Read more...]
Preston to Order New Ambulance
At the city council’s August 21 meeting, Ambulance Director Deb Ristau reported on the department’s fleet of three ambulances. Mayor Kurt Reicks was absent. The 2013 Ford F450 from Lanesboro has had numerous mechanical issues. A new ambulance is estimated to cost $330,185 and if ordered now may not be delivered for two-and-a-half to three years. The trade-in value of the 2013 … [Read more...]
Preston Historical Society Annual Report
Debbie Thompson presented the annual report and funding request for the Preston Historical Society (PHS) at the Preston, Minn., city council August 7 meeting. The report was put together by Sheila Craig, president of PHS, and included numerous activities throughout the year. Most city council members are members of the historical society. Some of the activities of the PHS are … [Read more...]
Jeanette Schmidt
Jeanette Schmidt, age 81, of Preston, Minn., passed away at Cascade Creek Memory Care in Rochester, on Tuesday, August 9, 2023. Jeanette was born June 7, 1942, daughter of Edward and Beulah (Petersen) Larsen. After graduating from Preston High School, she attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S. Dak., and graduated with a degree in teaching. In 1965, she married … [Read more...]
Carolyn (Kelly) Sethre Hymes
Kelly, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away at age 91, on May 24, 2023, in Capitola, Cali. Kelly was born in Simpson, Minn., on November 6, 1931, on the family farm. Daughter of Ella and Martin Sethre, she grew up in Preston, Minn., graduating from Preston High School in 1949. She attended St. Olaf College for a year, then transferred to a Nursing Program in … [Read more...]
Darrel E. Ray
Darrel E. Ray, age 90, of Preston, Minn., passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, surrounded by family at Gundersen Care Center in Harmony, Minn. Funeral services for Darrel will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at Preston United Methodist Church in Preston, Minn., with Pastor Mark Woodward officiating. Burial will follow with military honors at the Minnesota … [Read more...]
Preston hires EDA/Tourism/Chamber director
Lindsey Reding was hired as the new EDA/Tourism/Chamber director at the Preston city council’s July 3 meeting as recommended by the interview panel, effective July 24. Councilman Dean Aug was absent. Councilman Steve Hall noted that Reding was one of two excellent candidates that applied for the position. Reding currently is working for the state of Minnesota. She has a BS in … [Read more...]
Joanne MaryLee (Johnson) Lange
Joanne danced her way into heaven on June 29, 2023. She was born December 10, 1932, to Milford and Ruby (McMillen) Johnson in La Crosse, Wis. Joanne was baptized in Mabel on August 20, 1933. She spent her early years living in La Crescent and Rushford areas before her family settled outside of Canton, Minn. She graduated from Canton Public Schools in 1950. Joanne was united … [Read more...]
Preston formalizes reasons for denying rezoning request
A resolution was adopted at the city council’s June 20 meeting formalizing three reasons for the denial of Andy Bunge’s request to rezone the Sackett and Winslow parcels that are part of the Park Lane development site. Bunge had requested the rezoning of the parcels from R-2 (One and Two Family Residential) to R-3 (Multiple Family Residential). The city had previously … [Read more...]
Merrily Dale
Merrily Ann Dale, age 78, December 7, 1944 - June 16, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents Harbrand A. and Helen A. Rundquist and siblings Sue Bloberger and Bob Rundquist. She is survived by her husband of over 58 years, Glenn Dale; children Pam Meixell (Chris), Denise Doyle (Mike), Daniel Dale (Kimberly), and Melanie Waite-Altringer (Brian); many grandchildren … [Read more...]