Preston – Frederick McLeod Preston
On Friday morning, February 4th, 2022 our Fred, our ever so loved Husband and Dad, left this earth to join his Lord and Savior in Heaven. We miss him desperately. Fred Preston was born on October 22nd, 1973 in Markdale, Ontario to his parents, Grant and Edith Preston. Fred grew up on a sheep farm in Proton Township, Ontario, with his parents and 3 older siblings, Paul, Ruth and Scott. Fred was known as the late lamb as his siblings were 8-14 years older than him. Growing up, Fred participated in 4H projects, including Etiquette for the 80’s, Minor hockey and later on in high school and University; wrestling. After high school, Fred worked in Hays, Alberta and then attended SCBI (Swift Current Bible Institute) in Swift Current, SK. for 2 years. Fred made many lifelong friendships here and was involved in a lot of shenanigans. After Bible school, Fred attended the University of Guelph, where he once again made many lifelong friendships and participated in more shenanigans. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1999. A highlight of his university experience was a year abroad studying in Aberdeen, Scotland, where once again Fred made many lifelong friends and also participated in more shenanigans. Fred met his faithful wife, Marilyn, through mutual friends from SCBI. After several years of friendship, which grew into love, Fred and Marilyn were married on October 21st, 2000 in Rosemary, Alberta. They spent their first year and a bit in Lethbridge, AB. and then moved back to the Rosemary area to eventually start farming. In 2009, they purchased the family farm from Marilyn’s parents. This was a very exciting time for them. Fred’s work career revolved around agriculture and the oil and gas industry. In his words, his various jobs included: farm hand, high clearance sprayer operator, sucky machine job, truck operator, and water hauling. However, what brought him the most joy was farming his land, especially when he had his daughters beside him helping. Fred and Marilyn had 4 children, all dearly loved. Their first two sons both died; Thomas shortly after birth and Robbie was born in silence. This was a very difficult time for them as they grieved the loss of each of their boys 10 months apart. After many prayers and a faith beyond measure, their first daughter, Megan was born. Nineteen months later Kara completed their family. Fred loved being a Dad. He took this task, like any other task, very seriously. He spent many hours with his Girls playing games, camping, working and learning together. He made an effort to get to know their teachers each year. Fred also coached the Girls hockey team and when he was not coaching he was often reffing their games. This past summer the three of them spent a lot of time together working on the farm. Our family of four made a lot of great memories over the years. We spent time travelling, camping, working and living life. A favorite time of day was supper time when we gathered and shared the different events of everyone’s day. This meal was full of laughter and fun and the occasional disagreement. We never realized how special “supper time” was until now. Fred was a volunteer. He helped wherever he could and his list of titles is long. Hockey Coach, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Leader and now for the past 6 years he was Chair of the Newell Foodgrains Bank Growing Project. He took all these projects to heart and spent many hours planning, preparing and organizing. The Foodgrains Bank was a good project for Fred, as it was about “feeding the hungry” and Fred always appreciated a good meal. In 2015 Fred and Marilyn together were able to participate in a Learning Tour of Ethiopia. This was a highlight of their marriage. Fred was larger than life. A man of faith and friendship. Fred grew things from crops to relationships. He was memorable. You only needed to meet him once to know who he was. He loved a good joke and even a bad joke. He had the gift of making people laugh. People were important to him and he spent many hours cultivating and growing friendships as well as his crops and his faith in God. He took time to visit with friends on the phone, at Garry’s Garage, on the tailgate of a truck, or through e-mail or text for those that were further away. He loved helping others with their projects whatever they may be. The people that Fred met in the Agriculture Industry also became important to him. His banker was more than just a banker and he made an effort to get to know people’s names, often giving them some type of finnicky nickname so that he would remember them. Above all, he made an effort to know God and he had a very strong Christian faith. Fred was predeceased by his two infant sons, Thomas and Robbie, and his mother, Edith Preston. Fred leaves behind to mourn his wife, Marilyn and two daughters, Megan and Kara of Rosemary; his father Grant Preston of Cambridge Ontario; siblings, Paul (Viola) Preston of Hays, Ruth Preston Schilk (Harold Schilk) of Lethbridge and Scott (Linda) of Guelph, Ontario; in-laws John and Heidi Retzlaff of Rosemary and Keith (Krista) Retzlaff of Calgary as well as many nieces and nephews and an overwhelmingly large group of friends and neighbors around the world. A Family Funeral Service was held on Saturday, February 12th at 2:00 PM from the Rosemary Mennonite Church. Mr. Ben Nickel officiating. Interment followed at Rosemary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to Newell Foodgrains Growing Project, Box 294, Rosemary, AB T0J 2W0.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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