Nicole (Preheim) Pine, 51
Nicole (Preheim) Pine, 51, of Yankton, S.D., passed away on March 16 at Avera McKennan Hospital. Arrangements are pending.
We bid farewell to a remarkable soul Nicole Ray Pine who leaves behind memories as rich and vivid as a sunset sprawling across the Dakota prairie sky. Born on Dec. 14, 1973, in Parkston, S.D., Nicole’s life was a testament to the power of curiosity, creativity, and love, a vibrant blend of elements that defined her spirit and enriched the lives of those who were fortunate to know her.
Nicole was a seeker of knowledge and a lover of the arts. Their intellectual pursuits spanned theology, psychology, mythology, history, and world sciences. They found joy in uncovering the mysteries of the universe and engaging in deep discussions about life’s hidden meanings. A gifted writer and speaker, Nicole expressed themselves through personal writings that captured the depth of their thoughts and emotions.
Their passions extended beyond academia. Nicole cherished the simple comforts of home — a warm cup of tea, the feel of parchment beneath their hands, the fluid motion of pen to paper. They found solace in a cozy sweater, an afternoon nap during a rainstorm, or revisiting cherished VHS movies with their children. Home, for Nicole, was not just a place but the presence of those they loved most.
A free spirit at heart, Nicole preferred untamed fields to manicured gardens and found peace in working with their hands in the soil. They had an open mind and an even bigger heart—one that overflowed with love for animals, people, and the world itself. There was no song they wouldn’t sing, no book they wouldn’t read, no flower they wouldn’t plant. They believed all souls were connected and worthy of love.
Above all else, Nicole’s greatest pride was their family. They are survived by their beloved children Mackenzie Pine and Brien Pine. Their parents Arlo Preheim and Alyce Iverson; and their brother Ezra Preheim. Their love for their children was immeasurable—they were the center of Nicole’s universe and occupied the largest space in their heart.
Some closing words I felt embodied my mother’s innermost thoughts are as follows.
I like seeing people’s humaneness. Their little oddities and peculiarities. The wallflowers too shy to shine, and the ones consumed by the incomprehensible. I like seeing the way people unfold slowly and grow excited when you unlock the right door. I like hearing people talk passionately about the things not everyone will appreciate. We are made of much more than simple living rooms. There are attics and basements and trapdoors and nooks in each of us, and I like being someone you can trust enough to let inside play me your favorite songs- I want to hear them all. Tell me about the child still dancing across your heart and what gives you butterflies. What are you most proud of? What’s crushing you? I hope you know you’re never as alone as you might believe, I hope you know I’m someone you can catch your breath beside.
It’s an amazing thing when you finally settle into knowing you’ll never fit in. The difference between the rest of the world and you; you feel too much about too many things. And most others feel not enough, about too few. Keep standing out. Keep showing the crowd what beautifully flying free is all about.”
“When I asked her if she was afraid to fall in love, she damn near doubled over. “Afraid? My heart has been through hell and back. Yet it never quits, refuses to rest, gives without asking in return, and is deeper than the deepest sea. It’s love, my dear, that should fear me.” That night my heart was signed, by one of a kind.”
Nicole Pine lived with an open heart and an unquenchable thirst for understanding. Their memory will live on in the lives they touched, in the words they wrote, and in the love they so freely gave. May those who knew them find comfort in the legacy they leave behind.
