Patricia (Alber) Obituary

"Mrs. Patricia Lou Preston (Alber) age 83 of Grand Rapids went to be with the Lord on Saturday May 6, 2023 on her 62nd wedding anniversary and is now reunited with her husband Shirley "Sarge" Evans Preston; she was also preceded in death by her parents Fred and Beatrice Alber, her brothers Thomas, Robert and James; her sisters Mary Jane Rudolph, Irene Popma and Charlene Alber. She is survived by her children Russell (Lynne) Preston, Gregory (Mary Jo) Preston, Douglas (Lucy) Preston, Bryan Preston, Amy Jo Preston, Tina (Bernie) Bouwhuis; grandchildren, Amanda (Dan) Morris, Meghan (Jason) Shearer and Evan (Kalee) Preston, Jenna (Jeff) Fillman, Calvin (Abbey), Luke (Lindsay), Joe (Lindsey), Anthony, Sam and Lily Preston; Rachael (Evan) Macklin and Allison (Kyle) Smith; Cole and Kendra Preston; Joe, Matthew and Kayla Bouwhuis; 12 great grandchildren; her sister Bonnie Shepard; her special niece Betty Blackmer; many loving nieces and nephews. Patricia graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1958, then was accepted at the Michigan Bell Telephone Company as an information and intercept operator. Pat devoted her life to her husband's business, Contract Electric, as the office manager. She was an active member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, serving as the first female usher. She also helped start the RCIA program with Sr. Eileen Golas and helped for over 20 years. She will always be lovingly remembered for her kind big heart and her helping and dependable ways. Pat's most important thing in her life was her family. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday May 11 at 11:00 am at St. Anthony of Padua Church where she will repose one hour before the Mass. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Her family will receive visitors Wednesday May 10 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at the Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Rd NW. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony Education Foundation or the West Catholic High School Tuition Assistance. "