Chester A. Preston, age 91, of New Richland, died on Wednesday, June 4, 2003, at Immanuel-St. Joseph Hospital in Mankato.

Memorial services will be held on Sunday, June 22, at 2 p.m. at the Preston family farm in rural New Richland. McRaith Funeral Home of Waseca is handling arrangements and can be contacted for directions.

Chester Asahel Preston, the son of George Bliss and Caroline (Stroebel) Preston, was born May 1, 1912, in Blue Earth County near St. Clair. He graduated from St. Clair High School in 1929. Chester was united in marriage to Dorothy DeRemer on June 21, 1939, at the DeRemer home in Mapleton. Chester and Dorothy started out on the Preston Farm near St. Clair, then moved to a rural St. Clair farm. Later they farmed by Perch Lake near Mapleton for 14 years. In 1962 they moved to their Otisco Township farm near New Richland. Chester was a deacon and elder in the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Mankato and Albert Lea. He was active in soul winning activities. Chester enjoyed traveling and loved the mountains.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy of New Richland; by one daughter, Darlene (and Dan) Simpson of Calimesa, Calif.; by three grandchildren: Scott (and Amy) Simpson of Riverside, Calif., Todd Simpson of Calimesa, Calif., and

Heidi Simpson of Grand Terrace, Calif.; and by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; by five brothers: Clark, Ralph, John, Sam and Harold; and by two sisters: Grace and Maude.