Lilly, better known as “Oma” or “Lady” passed away Friday, August 21, 2020 at a local Assisted Living facility at the age of 90 following a steady decline in her health.
Lilly Mongel Preston was born in Frankfurt, Germany on February 18, 1930, the only child born to Adolf and Freida Mongel. She lived through the worst effects in Germany during World War II. At the age of 14 she worked as a “housekeeper/Nanny” to families in Frankfurt. When she was 16, and the war had ended, she took private English lessons from a German College professor, applied for and got the position as a bi-lingual telephone operator with the 7772 Army Signal Battalion aka Ginnheim Repeater Station (an outpost of Frankfurt). It also operated as the Ginnheim Post Office and included telephone and teletype communications. Lilly’s pay was meager, but included one meal during each day’s work. The Repeater Station became extremely important as being the only unit anywhere that was able to continue transmitting and receiving information from Berlin. It continued in operation until the Berlin Wall was abandoned by the Soviet Union.
Her father used his small lot like a farm with chickens and whatever he could grow. He also worked at an ammunition factory. He was a soccer player and an accomplished gymnast. Her mother was a stay-at-home wife and mother.
In 1947, Donald E Preston was assigned to be stationed in the same facility where Lilly worked. A co-worker of his made the first attempt to have them meet by telling each of them they had “a call on line 1”. Her first words to him were “what do you want?” They continued a short conversation and he enticed her to join him for a “co*ke” during her upcoming break. That first meeting began their short courtship. Their “dates” consisted of bicycle rides “in the woods” near Frankfurt and having “co*kes”. In 1948, Don was notified that his deployment had ended and that he was going “home” to Texarkana. He knew at that time that he did not want to leave Germany without Lilly, “the love-of-his-life”.
At the age of 18, she made a monumental decision to leave her parents, cousins, aunts & uncles, her home country of Germany and venture off with a man she didn’t know all that well and travel with him to the USA as his wife. After their wedding in Frankfurt, Germany, they travelled from Germany to NYC via a converted Army hospital ship “The Hudelston” for a 16-day Atlantic Ocean voyage. The ship transported many military newlyweds with the men’s cabins below deck and the women were on Deck 1.
Lilly and Don led a very modest life, as he worked at the Mail Terminal downtown Texarkana and then the US Post Office.
They were the proud parents of 4 daughters born between 1950 and 1960. Lilly devoted her life to her family and always put their needs before her own. One of Lilly’s proudest accomplishments was becoming a citizen of the United States. In preparation, she learned to speak English fluently and studied American History and government. Her inner strength and positive attitude were an inspiration to those who knew her. She was magical in the kitchen and spoiled her family with amazing dinners. Her greatest pleasure was spending time with her family. Over the years she was able to return to German several times. She worked as a dental assistant for several years, X-Ray and EKG technician at Southern Clinic and after retirement, an employee at Montgomery Wards in Texarkana.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Adolf and Freida Mongel of Frankfurt, Germany, her youngest daughter, Denice Wallace Hollier of Texarkana, her mother-in-law, Edna Pyeatt, father-in-law, Wesley Preston of Texarkana and several cousins and relatives in Germany and her Aunt Lilly in Switzerland.
She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Donald E Preston of Texarkana, TX , three daughters and their husbands, Madelein McBride and Glenn McBride of Jackson, MO, Evelyn Pinkner and Dr. Bobby Pinkner of Texarkana TX, Donna Jeffus and Mike Jeffus of Texarkana, AR, Grandchildren – Jason McBride and wife, Marianne McBride of Cape Girardeau, MO, Amber Buffington Runion and husband Danny Runion of Texarkana, AR; Amanda Buffington of Texarkana TX; Tony McBride and Tim McBride of Cape Girardeau, MO; Lewis Todd Wallace of San Diego, CA; Brother-in-law, Harold Preston of Texarkana, TX; Great-grandchildren, Adelynn Runion, and Alayna Runion of Texarkana AR; Madelyn McBride of Cape Girardeau, MO; Autumn Wallace and Jace Wallace of San Diego CA; and “bonus” great grandchildren, Tucker Runion and Paige Runion of Hope, AR and several cousins, nieces and nephews in Germany.
The family wants to give special thanks to the employees of the Oaks Assisted Living, Heritage Home Health and Heritage Hospice for their attentive care of Lilly.
In lieu of flowers donations to the Alzheimer’s’ Foundation or a charity of choice would be greatly appreciated.
Cremation will be administered under the direction of Chapelwood Funeral Home and her remains will be buried in Chapelwood Memorial Gardens. A private family service will be held. Visit www.chapelwoodfuneralhome.com for on-line registration and to view photos.
