Dorothy Lee Preston

Dorothy Lee Preston, 84, of Polson, passed away peacefully in her sleep Sept. 21, 2011 after a brave battle with melanoma cancer. Dorothy was born June 3, 1927 in Fort Benton, Mont. and grew up on a wheat ranch about 40 miles from town. Dorothy was a lifelong learner and love to nurture all living things. She loved flowers, reading, painting, sculpting, children and her family.

After graduating from high school in Fort Benton in 1945, Dorothy taught school for one year in a little country schoolhouse before attending college in Bozeman for a year, where she met her husband, Dwight Preston. Dwight and Dorothy were married Sept. 7, 1947 and just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

Dorothy worked hard to earn her teaching degree while raising four children. She graduated from the University of Montana in 1970 and taught several generations of children in Hot Springs for 23 years.

She encouraged her students to do their best in life and many remember her as the “teddy bear lady,” as she taught a second grade unit on bears for many years.

Dorothy enjoyed her retirement years, keeping busy learning new things. She did volunteer work for the Methodist Church, adopted several children in South America through the Christian Children’s Fund and was always involved in helping someone in need. She also devoted many hours to producing wonderful artwork and volunteered at the Sandpiper Art Gallery, where she cultivated many lasting friendships.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Reuben and Gladys Dedman, and her beloved son, Barry Preston, who passed away in 1991; brothers, David and Earl Dedman; and a sister, Elsie Sipes.

Survivors include her husband, Dwight Preston; daughters, Nisa Wallace and Carole Perry; a son, Dale Preston; grandchildren, Maya and Erin Wallace, Mason Lagerquist and Ariana Diehm; and a great-granddaughter, Gwen Diehm.

Dorothy will be missed by all who have known and loved her.

Memorial services will be held at Polson United Methodist Church on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mrs. Preston’s family.