Marjorie E. Preston Bledsoe, 92

Our beloved Mother and Grandmother, Marjorie E. Preston Bledsoe, passed on March 14, 2012, in Coeur d’Alene. She was born in Libertyville, Iowa, on July 14, 1919, and grew up living on a farm with her two brothers and their parents, Ralph and Ruth Peebler.

She always had wonderful stories of growing up there. She became a school teacher and taught all grades at a country school in Iowa. After leaving there she married Conrad Preston and moved to Montana where she started the very first kindergarten in Thompson Falls. They also built a plumbing shop there and ran that business for several years.

In 1962 they moved to Coeur d’Alene and bought “The Gold Cup Café and Soda Fountain” — which at the time was on Second and Sherman across from the Wilma Theater. She made wonderful friends there. After selling that business she worked for several different businesses as a bookkeeper until retirement.

She was a “farm girl” at heart and especially loved gardening and all that went with it. She read, sewed and was interested in different crafts. Most of all she loved and cherished her children, grandchildren and friends. Her pleasant nature, giving spirit and gentle ways will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, John Schadt, in 2010.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Beck and son-in-law Wally Beck of Coeur d’Alene; her daughter, Karen Knox and son-in-law Rob Knox of California; her step-daughter, Myrna Salmon of Florida; as well as several grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene.