John D.“Johnny” Legerski has passed onto more heavenly polka dances. He was born May 2, 1935, in Sheridan, Wyoming to George and Anna Legerski. He was the only one of nine children to be born in a hospital. He was raised in Monarch, Wyoming, where he worked for his father at Legerski & Sons Meat Processing. In 1963, Johnny and his brothers bought Sheridan Meat Company, which they owned until its closure in 1986. After that, he continued to buy cattle for other processing plants in the region until he retired.

Growing up in the meat business, he developed a talent for judging livestock and how they would grade and yield on the rail. He spent many days traveling to nearby livestock sales and sometimes brought home orphaned livestock projects for his small herd or pets for his children. Johnny loved many sports, especially football. He was on the Sheridan Bronc High School football team that won the AA state championship in 1952 and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1953. He would always listen to the Sheridan Bronc or Wyoming Cowboy games on the radio. Every fall he would be seen selling squares on his World Series or Super Bowl boards.

In the early 1990’s, Johnny took the trip of a lifetime. He traveled to Poland with his brother-in-law and sister, Walt and Olga Pilch, and his friend John Kawulok, where he visited relatives of both parents. He married Francis Klinkosh and they were later divorced. They had three children, twins Joan (Jim Bunkers), John (Sandra Kolos) and Jimmy (Chandra).

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Anne Presenkowski, Erma Pagliocca, Olga Pilch and Helen Siegoski and brothers George and Roman Legerski.

He is survived by his eldest sister, Elizabeth Stanko of Gordon, Nebraska, partner Dorothy Simon, his children, grandsons Hayden and Dalton Legerski and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to thank the Westview Health Care Center, nurses, doctors, and staff for the wonderful care, kindness, and dedication provided during Johnny’s time there.

Funeral Services for John will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024 with a viewing at 10:00 am, and services starting at 11:00 am at Kane Funeral Home, with internment in the Elks Section of the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. With a reception immediately following at the Elks.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Elks 520 Building Fund or to the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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