Preston Zachariasen

Preston Zachariasen, 50, of Freeman, passed away Sunday, March 29th at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. A visitation will be held on Friday, April 3rd, from 5-7 pm at the Freeman Community Center. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, April 4th, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Freeman.

Preston Jon Zachariasen, age 50, of Freeman, South Dakota, passed away at Dougherty Hospice House on March 29th surrounded by his family and his son on the phone. He will be remembered for his contagious and goofy laugh, which was well known by all his loved ones and mimicked by his granddaughter, Oaklynn.

Preston was born on December 2, 1975, in Wheatridge, Colorado, to Neil and Sherri (Lagendyk) Zachariasen. He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church on December 26th, 1975 in Avon, South Dakota and later confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Freeman. Preston graduated from Freeman High School in 1994, where he was active in sports and youth group.

Preston was most recently employed by Golden West Telecommunications, where he worked 26 years until his Glioblastoma diagnosis in August 2025. He also worked for Koerner Construction, Lawns Unlimited, and the Freeman Golf Course. Preston was a valued member of his community, serving on the Freeman Baseball Association Board and the Freeman Golf Course Advisory Board, and volunteered for the Freeman Fire department.

Preston met the love of his life, Sarah (Straight) and they were married on September 21st 2024. They shared six amazing years knowing and loving each other. Preston was blessed with a daughter Torrie and stepson Xavier Ward from his first marriage with Paige Hofer. Preston enjoyed loving on his only Granddaughter and “little Peanut” Oaklynn Zachariasen.

Preston enjoyed the great outdoors, including fishing, golfing, hunting, “working” out at Brandon’s land, and shooting guns. He taught his nephews how to catch the biggest catfish, though he would jokingly remind everyone that he “taught them everything they know.”

Preston cherished his outings with Sarah and his drives with Torrie. He loved spending time with his many friends where stories and jokes were shared in abundance with his buddies, often over a few beers in his shed. He was well known for his “Irish goodbyes”. Although Preston didn’t like to venture to far from Freeman, he loved all his trips to Deadwood and talked about how meaningful it was to take one final trip there in December.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. We find comfort in imagining his dog, Mya, joyfully spinning in circles as she welcomes him once again.

Preston is survived by his beloved wife Sarah; son Xavier Ward; daughter Torrie; granddaughter Oaklynn; parents Neil and Sherri; brother Brandon (Judy); sister Amber (Chris); nieces Alexandra Mayer, Isabel Sayler, Gabrielle

Zachariasen, Brynlee Zachariasen, Gracelyn Straight, Henlee Straight, Eliza Straight; Nephews Zac Sayler, Maxson Zachariasen, Fletcher Straight, Owen Straight; parents-in-law Gary and Marile Straight; brothers-in-law Jim (Halie), Dave (Jill); grandfather-in-law Lee Straight; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and cherished friends.