Ruth Gail Preston
Ruth Gail Preston 81 died November 23,
2020 at Newton Presbyterian Manor. She was born in Rural Elk County
and grew up on a farm outside of Howard, Kansas as one of 9 children
to Otis L and Hazel (Greenwood) Preston. She graduated from Howard
High School in 1957 and worked at AT&T (Southwestern Bell) as a
Manager until she retired December 31, 1991 with 31+ years of
service. She worked for Southwestern Bell in Howard, KS, Newton,
Kansas, Hutchinson, KS and finally Wichita, KS before retiring. She
then worked for a number of years part time at Anesthesia Billing,
Inc. in Halstead, Kansas when she decided she was ready to enjoy her
retirement.
Ruth was a long time member of Salem
United Methodist Church in Newton, Kansas where she was very active
on various committees. Ruth loved her church and her church family
and friends were very important to her. Ruth's passion was reading.
She loved to read and has an extensive book collection. She enjoyed
cooking and watching animals and nature outside her window. Ruth
loved to travel with family and friends and had some wonderful
adventures near and far including to Jerusalem, Germany, Switzerland,
and Rome.
Ruth's caring nature made her a friend
to so many. While she had no biological children of her own, she was
a second mother to many of her younger siblings as well as her niece,
Gail and her great nephews, Gage and Jase. She became ""Aunt
Ruth"" to many people whom loved her dearly. Ruth had a
strong work ethic and lived her life with faith and integrity. Ruth
enjoyed listening to classical music and church hymns.
Ruth is survived by her best friend and
sister Lorna Preston; niece Gail (Jason) Marsh; brothers Fred
(Dorothy) Preston and Dennis Preston; sisters Dorothy Walta and Sue
(Marty) Wacker. She is also survived by 8 nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her
parents, brothers Orvan and Dean Preston and sisters Joyce Lord and
Norma Salisbury and two nieces Alison Sweet and Chelise Mitchell and
one nephew Tom Walta.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions a private
family committal service will be held in Greenwood Cemetery Newton,
Kansas with The Reverend Ron Kite officiating.
Memorials may be made to Salem United
Methodist Church, Good Shepherd Hospice or by donating a book to your
favorite library in Ruth's name.
Petersen Family Funeral Home is in
charge of services.
