Herman Clifford Preszler

Herman Clifford Preszler, 88, Bismarck, ND, (formerly of Braddock, ND), passed away on January 3, 2017, after a long, full-filled and richly blessed life. Services will be held at 10:00 am Monday, January 9, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1402 East Avenue C, Bismarck, with Rev. Marv Mutzenberger officiating. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Sunday, January 8, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a time of sharing will begin at 4:30 pm. Herman was born on December 9, 1928, in Kidder County on a farmstead one-mile northeast of the farm where he spent most of his life. He was the fourth of thirteen children born to Emil and Katherina (Landenberger) Preszler. Herman began working on the family farm beside his parents at an early age. In 1946 he purchased his first piece of land and later farmed and ranched in partnership with his brother in Burleigh County. He had a vision for what he wanted to accomplish. He was a strategic businessman and was innovative in designing and making his own equipment. He was passionate about his life’s work and remarked that he enjoyed farming so much that it never felt like “work” at all. In 1946, at age 18, Herman bought his first motorcycle, a blue Harley Davison, and his love affair with the open road, the wind in his face, and the sound of a Harley began. He belonged to a motorcycle club in Steele started by his uncle and attended the 5th annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, SD, and returned to the rally 50 years later. During his retirement, Herman belonged to two motorcycle clubs and enjoyed weekly rides with others, but he also enjoyed riding alone. He traveled throughout North Dakota and appreciated the ever-changing scenery and inspired others to do so, as well. By the time he gave up motorcycling at age 81, he had logged enough life-time miles to have circled the Earth thirty-two times. He later enjoyed the same experiences in a Corvette convertible. Herman entered the Army in February, 1951, during the Korean War. After basic training, he spent the next year overseas in action, serving on the front line. He was honorably discharged in November, 1952, and always stood with pride when veterans were acknowledged at public events. On November 3, 1962, Herman married Colleen Dorgan at Grace Lutheran Church in Driscoll, ND. In 1964, their daughter, Susan, was born, followed by a son, Todd, in 1965. The family lived a typical ND farm life with involvement in school and community events. They were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kintyre, ND, and joined Faith Lutheran Church in Bismarck once they retired. Herman was active in his church and in the Burleigh County Farm Bureau, the American Legion and Forty et Eight organizations and was a member of the Elks and the VFW. He was a devoted family man and enjoyed the company of his children, son-in-law, and five grandchildren. Herman enjoyed reminiscing and would engage a group with his story-telling and sense of humor. He was an eternal optimist and enjoyed his family, friends and living life. He was proud of his German from Russia heritage and of being a North Dakotan and an American. He would often say goodbye to his friends with, “auf wiedersehen” – until we meet again. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Colleen; his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Daniel Zurn; his son, Todd Preszler; and his grandchildren, Jason and Matthew Zurn, and Julia, Scott, and Nicholas Preszler. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses, Viola Haase, Herbert and Frances Preszler, Lenhard and Joan Preszler, Donna and Neil Reamann, Delores and Arnold Hammond, Shirley and David Wu, Marvin Preszler, and Bernice Weiser; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings and their spouses, Raymond and Sophia Preszler, Irene and Edwin Leno, Alice and Milo Pocta, Leona and Benjamin Pocta, and brothers-in-law, Willard Haase and Kent Weiser. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church or the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery Foundation (NDVCF, 1825 46th St, Mandan, ND 58554).