Helen M Preston

Helen Preston, age 96, of Neillsville, WI formerly of Oshkosh, WI died Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at the Neillsville Retirement Community in Neillsville.Helen Margaret Preston was born on August 19, 1914 in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan, Canada the daughter of James and Frances (Schiller) Preston. They moved to Neillsville when Helen was young. She attended normal school in Neillsville and then completed her education at Stevens Point College, where she earned her Teachers Certificate. Helen taught in the Neillsville area schools and overseas for a few years. Most of her teaching career, however, was spent in Oshkosh, where she taught first and second grade until her retirement in 1979 at the age of 65. In retirement, she taught English to the Vietnamese, and she enjoyed playing piano, dancing, quilting and gardening. She moved to Neillsville in 2006.Helen was very charitable and devoted to her extended family. She enjoyed donating her time and finances to many organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh and the International Crane Foundation near Baraboo, WI. She was a world-wide traveler.She was a member of St. Marys Catholic Church in Neillsville.She is survived by three nephews, David (Carol) Poehnlein of Willard, WI, Bruce Poehnlein of Neillsville, WI and Steve Krauth of Madison, WI. She is also survived by a niece, Kathleen (Ron) Cardin of Palo Alto, CA.Preceding her in death were her parents and three sisters, Jean Preston, Gail Poehnlein and Katherine Krauth.The Mass of Christian Burial for Helen will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 14, 2011 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Neillsville. The Celebrant will be Rev. Varkey V. Joseph. Music will be provided by Ronald Resong, organist and St. Marys Choir. Internment will be in St. Marys Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Thursday at St. Marys Catholic Church.Funeral Home:Gesche Funeral Home4 South Grand AvenueNeillsville, WIUS 54456