James Michael Preisler

It is with heavy hearts our family announces the passing of Jim Preisler at age 80 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Jim passed away on Sunday, January 29th, 2023 at his home in New Prague, MN surrounded by loved ones. Jim was born in 1942 in Rush City, MN and lived an extraordinary life filled with high-speed adventure, accomplishment, laughter, learning and love. Jim's 38 months in the US Army Corp of Engineers were the most formative in his life. This life changing military experience ultimately led to his career as a design engineer. After brief careers in corporate construction and operating the first licensed take-out restaurant in Edina, Jim spent a 47-year career in the motorcycle aftermarket industry. Starting at Drag Specialties in 1970, his product designs and development follow-through helped grow the business to an annual 28 million in sales. The recession of the 1980's culminated in Jim being named President to oversee the downsizing and restructuring of the company. From 1991, as President, COO, and owner of the remaining core of the manufacturing business, D.S. Manufacturing, until its sale to Lincoln Industries in 2015, Jim focused on the design, development and building the Khrome Werks line of motorcycle accessories and overseeing the contract manufacturing portion of the business. Throughout his life, Jim remained active in his passion of motorcycle drag racing; initially as a professional NHRA drag racer to a hobbyist racer and life-long pleasure rider. In 1973, Jim held a national record in the quarter mile of 8.44 seconds at 170 mph on his double engine Harley. Jim was also a skilled woodworker and journeyman cabinet maker. In 2015, Jim embarked on a sizable HO model train layout feeding off his life-long love of trains. Jim is survived by his wife, Cheryl; daughter, Pamela Koopman (Rod Taylor); stepdaughter, Heather Berg; brothers, William Jr. (Kathy) and John Becker (Mary); grandson, Matthew Koopman; and nieces and nephews. Please join us for a Celebration of Life at 11 AM on Friday April, 28th at Washburn-McReavy Werness Brothers Chapel, 2300 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431. Visitation one hour prior. Interment to follow at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. The family requests remembrances be made in the form of contributions to The Fisher Foundation or your local animal shelter. For those unable to attend in-person, a livestream of the service will be available on Jim's page at www.washburn-mcreavy.com

Tributes

James Michael Preisler

December 8, 1942 - January 29, 2023

Tributes

James Michael Preisler

December 8, 1942 - January 29, 2023

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