Preston, Karolyn 'Kay'

Karolyn “Kay” Preston, 71, of Iowa City, died peacefully Sunday, May 8, 2011, at Lantern Park Nursing Home in Coralville, surrounded by family and friends.

She was born Sept. 25, 1939, the daughter of Sarah Aaron and Carl Howell, and her beloved stepdad, Herbert Michener. She was raised in Iowa City and attended City High School. Kay then lived in Kalona, Iowa, where she raised her three children, Brenda, Laura and Gregory. She worked at the Wayside Inn in Kalona, Briskey Cabinet Co. in Coralville, and later for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where she worked in the business office until retirement.

Kay was an avid reader and Hawkeye fan, loved sports and spent many hours doing needle work. Her teachings to her children always centered around the importance of hard work, character, sportsmanship and integrity. She taught them to rise to every challenge, no matter how hard and she stoically exemplified that in her own life. Due to her avid reading, Kay was a very wise woman, a history buff and a trivia expert.

Kay was a member of the IOOF Rebekah Lodge for approximately 50 years. She held many offices, including Noble Grand, and thoroughly enjoyed the many friendships she developed there. Kay embodied the lodge's beliefs of friendship, love and truth. Some of her deepest lifelong friendships were formed through the Rebekahs. She was also a member of the women's group at the Kalona United Methodist Church.

Kay was especially proud of her excellence in and love of bowling. Kay became a member of the Iowa City Women's Bowling Hall of Fame in 1989. She was the District 5 supervisor for Youth Bowling for over 10 years. Kay also formed a youth/adult bowling league in 1982 that still continues today. She held the highest average in the Iowa City Women's Bowling Association from 1973 to 1983.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Aaron Lee, Keith Allen and Joyce Elaine Howell.

She is survived by her three children, Brenda Mings of Springfield, Mo., Laura Rios and her husband, Frank, of Iowa City, and Gregory Preston of Atlanta, Ga.; and 11 grandchildren, Jennifer and Christen Mings, Brienna Rios, Sara Ann Reicks and Sara, Megan, Kimberly, Emily, Brandon, Robert and Joseph Preston.

Kay is also survived by her beloved friend and “sister” of over 50 years, Jo Ann Siefken, and her husband, Don, of Cedar Rapids. Kay was known as a second mom to Sheri and Diane Siefken and Brian Bender of Cedar Rapids. She is also survived by her beloved pets and companions, Mac and Rainbow.

A memorial service will be held at Lensing Funeral Home in Iowa City at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Following the memorial service, the family invites everyone to celebrate Kay's life with food and fellowship at Colonial Lanes in Iowa City from 6 to 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made payable to the Kay Preston Youth Bowling Scholarship or the Kalona or Iowa City Public Libraries and sent to Lensing Funeral Home, P.O. Box 167, Iowa City, IA 52244.

The family wishes to thank Care Initiative Hospice, Lantern Park Nursing Home and Dr. Rod Zeitler for their care and support during recent months. The family would also like to thank Colonial Lanes for allowing Kay's Celebration of Life to be held at their facility.

Kay decided over 35 years ago to donate her body to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program.