Shirley L. Preston

Shirley L. (Swanson) Preston, 97, of Wakefield, NE, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the Wakefield Health Care Center in Wakefield, NE. Private family funeral services will be held at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield. Burial will be in the Wakefield Cemetery in Wakefield. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield.

Shirley was born on February 22, 1928, in Lyons, NE, to Leslie and Doris (Sutton) Swanson. She attended and graduated from Lyons High School in 1946. On January 29, 1947, Shirley married Sidney Preston in North Bend, NE. To this union, the couple had five children.

Shirley enjoyed gardening and golfing in the summer, and bowling, reading, working on puzzles, and crocheting. She will be remembered for her wonderful baked goods, especially her chocolate cake. Shirley and Sid spent many evenings dancing together, playing cards with friends and bowling in couples league. She started her career working at the Fair Store in Wakefield. In 1976, she took the position as the school secretary for the superintendent until her retirement in 1990. After retirement, they traveled all over the country to several Nebraska football and volleyball games.

Shirley is survived by her sons, Gary (Barb) Preston, of Wakefield, NE, Thomas (Shannon) Preston of Nokomis, FL; daughters, Mary (Scott) Nelson of Omaha, NE, Nancy Preston (Kirk Gardner) of Omaha, NE; daughter-in-law, Donna Preston of Yankton, SD; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Doris Swanson; husband, Sidney Preston; son, Michael Preston; and sister, Venita (Roy) Pounds.