Karlene Marie Preston

Karlene Marie Preston reached the end of her wonderful life on December 9, 2024, at the age of 85. 

Born in McPherson, KS on July 22, 1939, Karlene was raised in Haven, KS. After graduating from Haven High School in 1957, she attended Hutchinson Community College but left school to marry her high school sweetheart, Jerrold Preston whom she had known and loved since she was 13 years old. They were married on March 29, 1958, and raised three daughters in Independence, MO after Jerrold took a position with Western Weighing Inspection Bureau a service bureau for Western Railroad Association. 

Prior to moving to Independence in 1967, Karlene was a travel agent in Hutchinson, KS but after the move to Independence, Karlene chose to stay at home with her girls before going back to her career as a travel agent. Once back to work and building her clientele, Karlene used her prior experience and business knowledge to partner and open her own travel agency. Karlene and Jerrold were avid travelers. They loved to visit different countries, anywhere there was a mountain in the States or abroad, and meeting new friends and just spending time together. 

Karlene was also an active member of Christ United Methodist Church and enjoyed working on varies committees where her and Jerrold built lifelong friendships. 

Karlene loved her family and friends. She and Jerrold had a beautiful life in Independence, which continued when they moved to the country on their beautiful property, which they named Cedar Hills Ranch. At the ranch, Karlene loved to cook and entertain family and friends as well as watch beautiful sunsets with Jerrold. 

Karlene was preceded in death by her baby daughter, Shendelle Suzanne Preston, her father Carl (Peg) Elvin and mother Evelyn Elvin, her two brothers and their wives Chuck (Cheri) and Barry (Lynn) Elvin as well as her beautiful granddaughter, Shendelle Marie Johnson. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Jerrold, daughter Vickie Sanders (Derek), Cindy Preston (Deena), and Sheila Johnson (Jimmy). She leaves behind her seven grandchildren, Tiffani (Mike), Cody (Shannon), Dylan, Shane (Carli), Skylar (Emma), Austin (Kelsie), Jared (Sarah) and ten great grandchildren: Hunter, Tanner, Miley, Jeremiah, Ava Marie, Milo, Atlas, Madelyn, Leighton, and Kennedy.

She also leaves many other family members, dear friends, and her cat, Boots, all of whom will sadly miss her.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set up in Karlene's name at Christ United Methodist Church UMF.