Laurie L. Preston, 60, died unexpectedly on Monday July 19, 2021, at Valley Baptist Hospital in Harlingen, Texas. Laurie was born on May 31, 1961 in Alliance, Nebraska to Jerry Stricker and Sharon (Schnell) Wonch.
She graduated from Alliance High School in 1979 and attended nursing school in Scottsbluff where she became a licensed vocation nurse. She began her career at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Alliance.
Laurie married Dale Garcia and from this union one son, Alexander, was born. She and Alex moved to Harlingen Texas in 1985. In 1986 she began working for Valley Baptist Medical Center where she remained for nine years. On June 18, 1994, she married the love of her life, Robert Preston. She worked as a home health care nurse until she returned to Valley Baptist in 2000. Laurie was working in the Neuroscience Department of Valley Baptist Hospital at the time of her death.
Laurie especially cared for her family and friends and was always there to lend a hand or kind word. She loved spending time with her husband and son, her brother Keith, and her best friend of 30 years, Andrea Jordan. Laurie doted on her beloved cats and was fondly known as the crazy cat lady.
She is survived by her husband, Robert of Harlingen TX; son Alexander Garcia (Jessica) of Harlingen TX; brother Keith (Cindy) of Brainard NE, niece Jamie Dietz (Justin); nephews Jared Stricker and Bryan Stricker; aunts Lillie (Ellis) Charles and Joyce Morgan. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather LeRoy Wonch, as well as aunts and uncles.
A memorial service honoring Laurie will be held on Monday, July 26, at 2:30 pm in the Woodward Conference Center at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen.
Those who knew Laurie knows she hated being fussed over and would rather give than receive. To honor Laurie’s love of cats, we ask that all who wish to participate make a donation to the Animal Shelter/Humane Society of Harlingen.