Raymond Preszler

Raymond “Ray” D. Preszler, 91, of Lisbon, ND, formerly of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Saturday, May 20, 2023, at CHI Lisbon Health in Lisbon, ND.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Schriver’s Memorial Funeral Chapel in Aberdeen.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the chapel.

Burial will be at Riverside Memorial Park with Military Honors.

A time of fellowship and a luncheon will follow the burial.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, Aberdeen, is handling arrangements.  www.schriversmemorial.com

Raymond D. Preszler was born on March 30, 1932, to Arthur and Anna (Himmerich) Preszler in Hosmer, SD.  Ray was raised and attended school in Hosmer.

Following his schooling Ray joined the United States Army and served from 1953-1954. He was stationed in Okinawa (far east) as an Ammunition Specialist.  While Ray was stationed in Okinawa, he was sent on a special assignment to South Korea to play his accordion in a band called “The Whistle Stop.” Ray continued playing his accordion and keyboard by ear over the years.

Ray married Gladys B. Vetch of Roscoe, SD at the Hosmer Reformed Church by the Reverend Lenard Stockmeier.  To this union, two children Raylene and Karen were born.  The family lived and farmed in the Hosmer area until 1962. In 1965 the family moved to Aberdeen where Ray worked for Hyman’s Trucking doing welding and maintenance work.  He also worked part-time doing furnace repair for Liebelt Homes.  In 1967, he began working as a machine specialist at Hub City Iron for the next 27 years.  Ray retired in 1994.

Ray and Gladys moved to Dakota Estates in Lidgerwood, ND, in November 2019. Gladys passed away in December 2021 and Ray continued to live at Dakota Estates until he moved to the ND Veteran’s Home in Lisbon in January 2023. They were married for 64 years and now are reunited in Heaven.

Ray belonged to Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Aberdeen, SD.  He was an active member of the church and served as a Deacon and an Usher for several years.  He also served on the IAM Local #862 and was director of the Hub-Co-Credit Union/Consolidated Federal Credit Union.

Ray enjoyed playing solitaire, Sudoku and could play the accordion, piano, and organ. He also loved to build things for his family. He made both of his children’s beds and crafted kitchen cupboards for Gladys. Ray loved to fix things that were broken and could be found walking several miles every day, inside or outside, after he retired. Even as a retired farmer, he was always interested in what was new or going on at any farm when he talked to farmers he knew.

Grateful for sharing Ray’s life are one daughter Karen (Phillip) Freeman of Geneseo, ND; one brother Alvin (Mildred) Preszler of Aberdeen; one sister Arvella (Ivan) Schumacher of Hosmer, SD; Godchild, Karen Bohling-Jung of Aberdeen; and many nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys; parents and grandparents; one daughter Raylene Preszler; two brothers: Lester Preszler, Harvey Preszler; and one sister Janice (Floyd) Ruby.

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