Our beautiful, sweet, Mother, Mary Ann Preston, a Manitowoc resident, was welcomed into heaven by Our Lord and her loving husband Jack, on Sunday afternoon, April 25, 2021 at Aurora Medical Center of Two Rivers.
Mary Ann was born on September 20, 1928 in Manitowoc Rapids, the youngest of seven children, to the late Reinhard and Anna (Vogel) Klingeisen. Mary Ann married the love of her life, Jack Preston, On October 21, 1947. He preceded her in death on January 21, 2016. They were united in marriage for 69 years. Together they faced life with happiness, acceptance and courage. Dad always said, “She was a good partner.” Together they gave their five children a wonderful childhood on their farm in Whitelaw. Mary Ann and Jack enjoyed their life together, raising their children and grandchildren and attending polka dances, square dancing, traveling and playing sheepshead with the family. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was gentle, accepting, and patient during the good times and strong and fiercely brave during the hard times. Always there to support and encourage. She lived life to the fullest and brought light and happiness to everyone.
Mary Ann graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in Alverno with the class of 1942. She was employed at Holy Family College and later graduated from Lakeshore Technical College with a Certified Medical Assistant Degree. She was then employed at Holy Family Memorial Hospital in the Nursery and at the Manitowoc Clinic in Pediatrics. To this day, mothers and fathers still come up to our mother telling her what a wonderful nurse she was, and how good she was with their children.
Mary Ann was a member of the Round Ups Square Dance Club, Rock a Rounds Dance Club, Young At Heart Line Dancers and the E-Z Does It Line Dancers at the Manitowoc Senior Center. She especially enjoyed dancing at the area nursing homes, bringing joy to all the residents. Mary Ann thoroughly enjoyed being a Red Hatter and participating in all of their special activities. She was also a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish and the St. Clare Altar Society.
Those left behind, but comforted that she is with Dad again include their children: Karen Kraemer, Manitowoc, Cheryl (Jay) Peaslee, Manitowoc, David Preston, Whitelaw, Marcia (Dave) Keil, Manitowoc, Jon (Mary) Preston, Highway R, Maribel; five grandchildren: Chad Kraemer (Jamie), Ian Kraemer (Jessi), Dr. Kimberly Keil Stietz (Andy), Jason (Amanda) Preston, John Preston; six great-grandchildren: Owen Kraemer, Peter Kraemer, Emily Preston, Anthony Preston, Mallory Kraemer, Wesley Kraemer; and one sister-in-law: Katherine Geiger. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. She was met at heaven’s gate by her husband: Jack; her parents: Reinhard and Anna Klingeisen; two grandsons: Jonathan David Keil and Lucas Preston; and her son-in-law: Michael Kraemer. She was also preceded in death by many of her siblings, other relatives and friends.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo, Manitowoc. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Richard Klingeisen (her Godson). Mary Ann will be entombed at Calvary Mausoleum, Manitowoc.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.pfefferfuneralhome.com.
The Pfeffer Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
We now celebrate her life knowing that the Lord is taking care of her and she is once again united with her beloved husband Jack. Now they are together forever dancing in heaven and enjoying a higher form of life. Beautiful, Sweet, Mary Ann.
