Preston and Mary Smith passed away in 2021, Preston on December 10, and Mary on December 16, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they lived for four years.

Preston Bryon Smith was born in Spirit Lake, Iowa to parents Estelle and Byron Smith in 1948 where he grew up on a family dairy and livestock farm. He enjoyed playing basketball at Arnold Park High School where he was senior class president. He enlisted in the army in 1968 and was stationed in Vietnam for one year.

Mary LaDale Duckson was born in 1957 in Redondo Beach, California to parents Constance Campeau and Donald Duckson. She was very involved in the drama department, and played the lead in many productions at Redondo Beach high school. She graduated in 1975.

Their individual life journeys brought them each to California where they met and were married in 1985. While running a restaurant called Hana Seafood in San Diego, they had their two sons, Nathaniel and Aaron. Their daughter Kerala was born after the family relocated to St. Peter, Minnesota to be closer to Preston’s family. Mary and Preston soon began Mary's Flowers and Gifts, serving the community of St. Peter for over 20 years. Mary was known to the community for her vibrant and loving personality and creative spirit. Preston worked hard to run the business with pride and integrity and care for his family. For the last four years of their lives, they resided in Grand Rapids, Michigan where they were active in volunteering, their church communities, and Mary’s latest creative endeavor called Shine Cones.

They are survived by children Nathaniel Smith and his wife Kourtney, Aaron Smith and his wife Carolina and daughter Adelina, and Kerala Porch and her husband Mitchell.

Mary is also survived by her siblings Adrienne Rodarte, Nelisse Muga, Tim Curtis, and Doug Duckson. Preston is survived by his siblings Peggy Jones, Pierre Smith, Perry Smith, and Pam Cooney.

A memorial celebrating the lives of Preston and Mary is scheduled for Sunday, May 22 at 2pm at South Shores Church in Dana Point, California. It will be live-streamed, and can be viewed at the South Shores Church YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/chann…  

Their ashes will be buried at Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach, California. 

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