Daryle Gene Preston, the first child of Howard and Blanche (Olsen) Preston, was born on May 16, 1943, in Seneca Township, rural Fenton, IA. He departed this world on Friday evening, April 21, 2023, at the Methodist Hospital, Rochester, MN. He was 79 years and 11 months old.
He was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Swea City, IA. Daryle was blessed with talent in a variety of sports, in high school and many years after. He graduated from Sentral of Fenton High School in 1961.
Daryle volunteered for the United States Army in 1963 and trained with The Study of Nuclear Missilery at Ft. Bliss, TX, and became part of the launching crew. He was then stationed in Germany. During one leave to home, he was called back early by his commander to pitch in an important fast pitch softball game. He left early and his mother never did forget that. Following his honorable discharge, he started farming with his dad and uncles, and later his brothers.
He met and married Jean Allen on November 12, 1966, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Swea City, IA. The couple lived in rural Swea City for a couple of years and then rural Armstrong to the present. They had 2 children, Candace Lynne and Cory Gene.
Daryle, with a couple of friends, helped to bring the first foosball table to this part of the country. He also continued to play men’s fast pitch softball with Fenton, Shellum’s Body Shop, Blazer Bar, Fairmont Merchants and finally many years with Spencer Budweiser, which included two National Tournaments in Stockton, CA and St. Louis, MO.
Daryle also enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing pool and snooker. He loved backyard softball games with his family. He was also fairly sharp at cards. When Daryle & Jean would team up for “500”, they would usually come out on top of everyone. He looked forward to summer vacations, especially fishing trips to Canada.
When farming caused struggles, Daryle went to work in road construction, driving truck for Buffalo Bituminous out of Buffalo, MN. He retired at 65 but would help others with farming. He really enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 56 years, Jean, of Armstrong; his daughter Candy Preston, of St. Augusta, MN; his son Cory Preston (William Salada), of Marina del Rey, CA; grandchildren: Jaci (Joel) Riordan, Zach Holm and Kia Holm; great-grandchildren: Jaire and Jorie Riordan, and Taavi Holm; brother Fay (Lynette) Preston, sister LuAnn Dahl; sisters-in-law Peggy and Cheryl Preston, Ruth (Curt) Sommerland, Ginger Polley, Becky (Harold) Masters and Mary Lou De La Cruz; brother-in-law Robert (Irene) Allen; and several nephews, nieces and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Howard and Blanche Preston; sister Jeanette Preston; and his brothers Wayne and Ronald Lee Preston.
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