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PRESTON KIDWELL Obituary


PRESTON BLAIR KIDWELL
May 4, 1924 ~ November 19, 2012

Preston Kidwell died on Nov. 19, 2012, at the Ray Hickey Hospice House in Vancouver, WA, of pancreatic cancer at the age of 88. Preston, the son of William Fredrick and Juanita Mary (McDowell) Kidwell, was born in Longview, WA on May 4, 1924.
He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1943, became a pilot and flew a B17 on many sorties over Europe during World War II.
Preston retired from the military in 1966 but continued to fly airplanes into his seventies. He owned and operated several small businesses following his military career.
Preston married Evelyn Lee on Oct. 29, 1944. Their marriage was blessed with two children, William Kidwell (Carol) and Janet Preisner (James). Evelyn passed away in 1997. Preston married Audrey (Sheldon) Hartleben on Aug. 24, 2002. They cherished being able to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary together this year.
Preston is survived by his wife, Audrey; son, William, daughter, Janet; step-children, Cynthia Carlson (William Young), Janet Moore, Marcella Rush (David), Philip Carlson, Charlotte Woodward (Eric), Steven Carlson; grandchildren, Sheri Cafer (Douglas), Thomas Palenske (Jeryn); step-grandchildren, Marieke Young, David Young, Conrad Moore, Carissa Roe (Dan), Steve Rush (Rebecca), Michael Rush, Christopher Carlson, Britt Carlson, Alex Carlson, Aaron Carlson; great-grandchildren, James, Rachel, Kaetlynn, Christian, Cathryn, Cameron and Preston; and step-great-grandchild, Lovely.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Mass celebrating Preston's life will be held at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church on Dec. 1, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.
The family wishes to express its deep gratitude to the Ray Hickey Hospice House for the loving care Preston received and suggests donations be made in his memory to the Ray Hickey Hospice House in lieu of flowers.
Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Published by The Columbian on Nov. 25, 2012.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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4 Entries

Great memories of this family in Topeka.

Ivan Weichert

November 19, 2021

Dear Audrey and Family,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I've always had the highest regards for Preston and enjoyed the many fun times at Jacobs Well and other activities. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad and difficult time. I wish I could be there to attend the services, but I recently moved back to California. May God bless you and your family.

Most sincerely,
Linda Hawkins

November 26, 2012

I've enjoyed hearing many of Preston's stories as told by Marcella. Even during sickness his sense of humor and love of family remained.
Rest in Peace.

Elaine Ritter

November 25, 2012

I am sorry for your loss. I believe I knew Bill and Jan in Topeka 1964-65? Regards, Ivan and Karren Weichert.

Ivan Weichert

November 25, 2012

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