Visitation: Visitation, with family present, will be Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD.
Service: A private family funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025.
Sawyer Douglas Van Zee, 3-day old son of Preston and Kimberly (Elenkiwich) Van Zee, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024 in the Avera McKennan NICU. Visitation, with family present, will be Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD. A private family funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025.
Sawyer surprised everyone by coming into this world at 12:03 AM on Christmas Eve. Although he faced an uphill battle, Sawyer fought hard his entire life. During his short stay with us, he loved hearing his parents’ voices, being held and snuggled, and listening to Berenstain Bears books. He was also baptized during his time with us.
He will be forever loved and remembered by his parents, Preston and Kimberly; grandparents, Doug and Brenda Van Zee, Kyle Dean (Sandra) Elenkiwich, and Cynthia (Richard) Wakeman; aunts and uncles, Megan (Kyle) Munneke, Chelsea Van Zee (Ryan Mulder), and Pamela (Drew) Garry; cousins, Derek, Gretchen, Dax, Carter, Jaydon, Hazel, Grace, Maggie, Dean, Harrison, and Gabriel; along with many extended family.
Sawyer had a wonderful medical team that worked around the clock and beyond shift hours. When Sawyer passed, they shared tears and helped us in our time of initial grief.
In order to show our appreciation, we request that in lieu of flowers, you can send a donation to the charity they hold dear- The Oaklyn Foundation
Preston I’m so sorry in my thoughts all day sympathy to you and family 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Dear family, our prayers are with you at this very sad time. May God wrap His arms of comfort around you. 🙏🏻🤗🙏🏻
I am so very sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort
Kimberly and Preston so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Van Zee families…our thoughts and prayers are with at this extremely difficult time. May you all be wrapped in the arms of God and find peace and comfort in the days and weeks ahead…..❤️
I AM SO VERY SORRY AND SENDING PRAYERS FOR ALL THAT GOD WILL GIVE YOU COMFORT AND STRENGTH.
Lifting you up to the only one who can bring comfort in this time. You are all so loved!
My heart breaks for you all. There is no grief greater than the loss of a child. May God bring you peace and comfort in this hour.
We are so sorry for this very sad loss. May Jesus hold you all close. Love and prayers.
I pray for your families peace and comfort at this very hard time. I pray for Sawyers eternal peace and comfort.
I am so sorry for the loss of Sawyer. Thinking of you and holding you up in prayer.
We are saddened for you and your beautiful family. Our prayers are with you as you navigate this prayerfully healing sadness and helplessness. You, Preston and Kimberly along with your entire family are being wrapped in prayers and love.
Our condolences on your loss.
To all of sweet Sawyers’ family, May the prayers and love bring you some comfort.
We are so very sorry for the loss of your sweet baby. May Our Lord comfort you at this very difficult time .🙏🏻
May your sweet angel rest in peace and may your hearts heal as they celebrate the memory of your precious time together. He will always know your love.
Preston – we send our prayers and sympathy to you and your entire family.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for your loss.
Our hearts break for your loss of Sawyer, Preston and Kimberly. You both have been in our prayers and continue to be in our hearts as you go through such a painful time. We ask God to be with you for comfort and peace as we are all blessed to know just where little Sawyer is now.