Donnabelle Preston

Visitation: Tuesday, May 3, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus.

Funeral services: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus.

Interment: Valley View Cemetery in Broadus.

Donnabelle (Fruit) Preston, age 90, of Broadus passed away on Friday, April 29, 2011 at the Powder River Manor in Broadus.

Donnabelle was born November 19,1920 at Alzada, Mt.to Claude Fruit and Grace Engel Fruit,later Johnston. She attended school at the Crow Creek School and Broadus. She met and married Tom Preston in September 1940. They had two children, Arletta and Stanley who both died as babies. Their first home was a sheep wagon. They herded sheep for the Lee Engel ranch on Crow Creek where they started in the livestock business with a few sheep.They leased several places before buying the Ida McKinsey place at the mouth of Crow Creek in the early 50's.While on the ranch Donna worked outside along with Tom.

Lee Fruit, their nephew, lived with them to go to school at Powderville for his 2nd grade in 1947-48.Clifford Preston, another nephew, lived with them from 1958~1966 to go toschool.

In 1978 it became necessary to sell the ranch when Tom became ill.They moved to Miles City for a short time before moving to Broadus. Tom passed away in 1981.Donna continued to live in Broadus and in 1985 built a new home. She enjoyed this home for 20 years. During this time she went on several trips, including an eastern fall tour,Alaska and Hawaii.

She was a good cook and a neat housekeeper. She enjoyed their community of neighbors and all their gatherings. She liked doing puzzles, playing cards, and she loved her cat. She was a kind,but determined lady and will be missed by all who knew her.

Donna is survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom in 1981 and two brothers: Clare and Bernard Buster.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Valley View Cemetery in Broadus. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Powder River Manor or to the charity of one's choice.