Preston M. Kurtenbach, 94, of Astoria, died Saturday, May 26, 2018, at the Deuel County Good Samaritan Society in Clear Lake.  

Funeral services are at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Deuel County Good Samaritan Chapel in Clear Lake.  Burial is in the Lakeview Cemetery in Clear Lake.  

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. The Houseman Funeral Home in Clear Lake is entrusted with the arrangements.

Preston Merlin Kurtenbach was born May 10, 1924, to Preston and Emma (Tolk) Kurtenbach in Moody County.  He was baptized on July 12, 1924, in the Lutheran Church of Brookings.  Preston attended and graduated from Toronto High School in 1943.  He continued his education at the National Trade School in Kansas City, Missouri, for auto mechanics.  

Preston returned home and in 1947 he started Kurtenbach’s Garage in Astoria.  

He owned and operated the garage where he worked on many vehicles and equipment until 1997. He then continued to work on smaller equipment and small engine repair until his health forced him to retire in 2014.  

Preston then entered the Deuel County Good Samaritan Society in Clear Lake in December 2014.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening.  

Preston also enjoyed spending the holidays with his family.

Preston is survived by his brother, Willis (Donna) Kurtenbach, Brandt; sister-in-law, Dorothea Kurtenbach, Sioux Falls and several nieces and nephews.  

He was preceded in death by three brothers; Vern, Virgil and Donald.