Obituary of Leon K. Preszler

Leon K. Preszler, age 69, of Yankton, SD passed away peacefully at his home Friday, December 12, 2014. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, with Rev. Joel Fleischer officiating. Burial will be in the Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD at approximately 2:30 PM, Wednesday afternoon with Military graveside rites by the Sioux Falls American Legion Post 15 and the South Dakota Army National Guard Honor Guard. Visitations will be 5 to 7 PM, Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD and then one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel. Leon Kenneth Preszler was born April 15, 1945 to Kenneth and Joyce (Bartell) Preszler. He grew up at Meadow, SD on the family cattle ranch, attending country school through 8th grade at Grand Central in Meadow, and high school in Lemmon, SD. Leon attended college at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, where he met his wife, Suzanne (Wittmayer) Preszler. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science in December of 1967. He and Suzanne were married December 29, 1968 in Suzanne's hometown of Eureka, SD. In 1968, Leon was drafted into the United States Army and served in Vietnam from October of 1969 through October of 1970. Leon and Suzanne ranched at Athboy, SD for 17 years, raising beef cattle and grain crops. There they raised 3 children: Christine, Lucinda and Trent. They moved to Yankton, SD in 1987, where Leon worked as a welder for KPI, Inc. until he retired in 2012. He was a member of Berea Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD. Leon had a lifelong love of rodeo, starting as a kid in 4-H and competing all through high school, college and for several years after college on the NRCA and SDRA rodeo circuits. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, as well as a football fan, faithfully cheering for the Minnesota Vikings regardless of how often they disappointed him. He was a member of Yankton County Sharpshooters, and supported Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk and Pheasants Forever organizations. He was known for his infectious laugh and love of his family. Leon is survived by his wife, Suzanne Preszler of Yankton, SD; his son, Trent Preszler of Mattituck, NY; one daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Gary Hoover of Lakeville, MN; one brother and sister-in-law, Floyd and Barbara Preszler of Rapid City, SD; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Nancy and Greg Kampfe of Rapid City, SD, and Linda and Frank Pisacka of Crawford, NE; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Cecelia Wittmayer and Norman Andenas of Howard, SD; John and Coleen Wittmayer of Roscoe, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lucinda Mae Preszler; two cousins, Wendy Voigt and Scott Bartell; his parents; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.