Herbert Preszler Sr.

1921 - 2007

Herbert Preszler Sr., 86, was born on a farm in Eureka, South Dakota on October 16, 1921. Herbert is the son of Adam and Magdalena Preszler, and the brother of Rueben, Alma, Gertrude, Lillian and Shirley.
Herbert graduated from Eureka High School in 1940 where he played football and was a member of the chorus. While growing up, he helped out his family by performing many farm duties, including milking cows, plowing fields, and various other related responsibilities.
Herbert moved to California after graduating from high school and was employed with the A & P Food Stores in Los Angeles. He returned to Eureka, SD and worked for the county highway road surveying department.
He met and married Emily Wolf, from Ashley, ND, in 1944 and was the proud and extremely devoted father to Herbert Jr., Carroll Vincent, Lina Grace, and Timothy Adam. He encouraged and supported his children in all their endeavors. He was a great listener and able to offer his wisdom and advice when needed. He will be painfully missed by his family.
Herbert served in the U.S. Air Force for four years during World War II achieving the rank of Sergeant. He worked in the Finance department and served at a variety of air force bases located in Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, and North Carolina. He was discharged at Mitchell Field, NY at which time he returned to California beginning a new business adventure, Victor Hardware and Appliance, in Victor, CA. He owned and operated the successful business for 361/2 years, retiring in 1983.
He was an avid fan of football and baseball. He found great pleasure in watching his sons play sports during their school years. He also enjoyed televised games, spending hours cheering his favorite teams.
Herbert and Emily were active in the commercial fishing business in Fort Bragg, CA, for many years. They looked forward to spending time on the Pacific coast where they enjoyed the beautiful scenery and cool climate.
He took his young family camping and fishing in the Yellowstone and Teton Parks and British Columbia. Herbert and Emily loved to travel and visited Europe, Japan, Tahiti, Hawaii and the Caribbean.
For fifty years, Herbert was an active member of the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Temple and Ben Ali Shrine. He was also a sixty one year member of the American Legion. In addition to these memberships, Herbert also was a member of Zion Reformed Church.
Herbert Preszler is survived by his loving wife, Emily of sixty three years, four children, four grandchildren: Collette, Brooklyn, Bethany, Michael and four great-grandchildren: Russell, Rhett, Chase and Makena.
A graveside service will will be held Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Lodi Historical Cemetery, on Pine St. in Lodi, CA.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Shiners Children's Hospital, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95817.