Mary Ellen Barends Obituary
With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Mary Ellen Barends of Sparta, Michigan, who passed away on November 8, 2023 at the age of 91. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Mary Ellen Barends to pay them a last tribute.
She was predeceased by: her parents, Myron Anderson and Mildred Anderson (Dakens); her former husband Richard Preston; and her husband James Barends. She is survived by: her children, Rob Preston (Kay), Del Preston (Teri), Kyle Preston and Bart Preston; her grandchildren, Ben Preston (Mallory), Sarah Breen (Mark), Erin Sawyer (Brandon), Danielle Cole (Will), Nicole Davidson, Ashley Preston (Kendall Kaufman), Zan Preston (Susan) and Jo Morris (Darrel); her sisters, Doris Plescher, Cheryl Sutherland and Edna Evans (Erwin); her sister-in-law Lori Preston (Noreen Beuschel); and her friend Eileen Shoemaker. She is also survived by several great grandchildren.
Those wishing to offer an expression of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to Emmanuel Hospice, Meadowlark Retirement - Memory Care Unit, or the food pantry at Peace Lutheran Church.
