Dexter Preston

West Fargo

Dexter Preston, 11, West Fargo, passed away after a 5-year battle with cancer, Wednesday, August 7, 2024, in his home.

Dexter Francis Preston was born August 8, 2012, the son of Hanah DeGroat, in Billings, Montana. He was raised and educated in Minot through Kindergarten. Hanah and Dexter moved to West Fargo where he attended Willow Park Elementary School.

Dexter was a typical boy who loved cars, especially super cars. He liked Transformers, Pokemon, and building Lego sets. He liked to play board games and video games, Minecraft being his favorite. He was a little boy at heart who always had his favorite stuffed animal by his side.

Hanah and Dexter liked to dress up and attend pop culture conventions. They enjoyed getting ice cream together and walking downtown exploring. They would go to the park together where Dexter was able to swing. Dexter also loved to spend time with his grandpa and grandma. He gave his grandpa, “The Claw” every time he saw him.

Dexter had a love for the military. In 2020, he was able to receive a Make-A-Wish where he went to Camp Ripley, Minnesota to be a soldier for the day. He was given dog tags and a uniform that included his name and the rank of Colonel. Dexter and his family spent the day looking inside the tanks, using night vision goggles, and flying a simulated chopper.

Dexter was a loving, kind little boy. He had a great sense of humor and loved jokes. He was a great joke teller. Dexter will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

His loving family includes: mom and dad, Hanah DeGroat, West Fargo and Eric Mize, Bismarck; grandparents, Julie and Frank DeGroat, Surrey; aunt, Leah (Shawn) Cushman and their daughter, Devyn, Arundel, ME; best friend, Jeffrey Salmon, Minot, ND; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by great-uncle, Joseph Schmalz; great-grandparents, Joseph and Catherine Schmalz, and Gabriel and Mary DeGroat.

Liturgy of the Word Service: Friday, August 16, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND. Visitation: Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot. Vigil Prayer Service: Thursday at 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Thompson-Larson Funeral home website: www.thompsonlarson.com.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, August 14, 2024.