Donald Gerald Preston

Donald Gerald Preston, 82, of Sioux City died Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, at Indian Hills Nursing and Rehab Center.

Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, September 10, 2009 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with Neil Peck, C.L.S. Shrine Chaplain officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present 5 to 8 p.m., a prayer service at 7 p.m. followed by a Masonic service, at the funeral home.

Don and his twin brother, Joe, were born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Perry and Edna (Arthur) Preston. The family came to Sioux City in 1928. After graduating from East High School, he immediately joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving two years during World War II. He graduated from Morningside College in 1951, lettering four years in football. After graduation, he served as president of the "M" Club and co-chair the first annual Shrine Morningside College football game.

He married LaDonna Rispalje in Sioux City on June 18, 1955. He was employed as a sales representative for several area businesses.

He was a member of the Landmark Lodge 103 A.F. & A.M. and was a 32 Degree Scottish Rite, receiving his KCCH in 1985. He was a member of Abu Bekr Shrine, serving as Potentate in 1977. He was a social member of the Chanters, White Horse Mounted Patrol and a member and past president of the Wrecking Crew. He also was a member of the Camper Unit, the Rodeo Unit and a former Royal Order of Jesters, serving as director in 1992. He was a lifetime member of the Cabiri, a past Potentate's organization. For 40 years, he headed up refreshments for the Sioux City Consistory. He was a familiar face around the Shrine office, having served as recorder for 13 years, becoming recorder emeritus in 2005.

His hobbies were cooking, traveling throughout the world and pampering "Madam Queen."

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, LaDonna; two brothers-in-law, George W. Pusack of Davidson, N.C., and Joe Rispalje of Spokane, Wash.; two first cousins, Mark Kay Arthur of Golden Valley, Minn., and Tom Arthur (Georgene) of Waterloo, Iowa; two nieces, Ann Wilt (Nelson) of O'Fallon, Ill., and Jill Blyth (Jeff) of Apple Valley, Minn.; and two nephews, William Pusack (Pricilla) of West Norwalk, Conn., and James Rispalje of Brooklyn Park, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brother, Joe; two sisters, Madeline Peterson and Marian Pusack; and a nephew, James Pusack.

Pallbearers will be Gene Dierking, Kenny Escher, Bruce Kolbe, Roger Schultz, Roger Spencer and Kent Hanson.

Memorials may be made in his name to Abu Bekr Transportation Fund or Hospice of Siouxland.