Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
John Lesnefsky Jr.
John Lesnefsky Jr.
Obituaries
By News Staff, on April 27, 2022
John Lesnefsky Jr.

John Lesnefsky, Jr., a long time resident of Ouray and Montrose, Colorado, passed away on April 11, 2022 at St. Anthony’s North Hospital in Westminster, Colorado at the age of 79. He is survived by his two sons John Lesnefsky III and Warren Wayne Lesnefsky. Debra Lesnefska is wife of John III and mother to son Kazimir and daughter Lana. Melissa Kauffman is the wife of Warren and mother to daughter Justine and son Evan. John Lesnefsky Jr. is also survived by his two brothers, Joe Lesnefsky and Richard Lesnefsky.

John was born in Peckville, Pennsylvania on November 16, 1942 to John Lesnefsky and Anna Lesnefsky (Cenitch), and eventually was the eldest of three boys. He, Joe and Richard (aka “Dick”) attended the Milton Hershey School for Boys in Hershey, PA after their father passed away and their mother was unable to support them financially. After graduating high school, and with support from the Hershey School Trust, John attended Denver University (DU) where he majored in advertising design and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts.

After graduating from DU, John married Sara Rowser (now Tetting), who soon gave birth to John III. John enlisted in the Army’s Officer’s Candidate School and was deployed to Vietnam in 1968 as a commissioned officer (1st Lieutenant) in the Army Corp of Engineers. After his tour of duty and an honorable discharge from the Army, John and Sara moved to Denver, CO where Sara gave birth to Warren. In 1971, John and his family moved to Ouray, Colorado where he joined his father-in-law’s (Wayne Rowser) real estate business.

In addition to real estate, John was known for his volunteering through the Elks. John joined the Ouray Elks Lodge 492 in 1973, and served in nearly every office over the next 17 years, including Grand Exalted Ruler, Exalted Ruler, District Deputy, Trustee and Secretary. John ended his official Elks volunteerism as the Ritual Coach. John was proud to be an Elk and loved what Elkdom stands for: helping others, no matter who.

After 36 successful years running Lesnefsky Real Estate, John sold the business to Peggy Lindsey and J. Gary Dunn, and retired to Montrose, CO where he lived and golfed happily at Cobble Creek.

In August of 2020, John was officially diagnosed with stage four COPD and Ischemic Dementia. His family made the difficult decision to move John from his home in Montrose to assisted living/memory care facilities in Thornton, CO near his son Warren where his health and care could be watched after. In his life up until Dementia overtook John, friends and family knew him as a loyal friend, a hard working Christian man, a loving father and grandfather, and an avid golfer.

An Elks Memorial will be held for family members and Elks members from 2PM to 3PM upstairs at the Ouray Elks Lodge on June 25th, followed by an open house celebration of life open to all other friends of John’s.

John’s family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association through the Ouray Elks Lodge fundraising. Send donations to Ouray Elks Lodge 492, PO Box 647, Ouray, Colorado 81427.

Crews start to gain ground on South Rim Fire
Main, News...
Crews start to gain ground on South Rim Fire
By Lia Salvatierra 
July 18, 2025
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON – Firefighters finally began to gain ground Friday on the South Rim Fire burning in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, though a timeline for reopening the par...
this is a test
News
Ridgway keeps water restrictions
By Erin 
July 16, 2025
Ridgway remains in Stage 3 watering restrictions, upheld during a July 9 meeting by town councilors who cited concerns about persistent dry conditions and no permanent fix allowing the town to access ...
this is a test
Hunting down the ghosts
Main, News...
Hunting down the ghosts
Veterans services officer finds and assists those who served with benefits, problems
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 16, 2025
During his time as a bus driver in Telluride, Mikael Madsen encountered many of his fellow veterans struggling to survive a Western Slope winter. At the time, Madsen was what he calls a military ghost...
this is a test
Wildfires surge across region
Main, News...
Wildfires surge across region
Brief monsoon could bring relief — or lightning — before dry spell returns
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 16, 2025
Four lightning-sparked wildfires that had scorched more than 20,000 acres in southwestern Colorado as of Wednesday continue to churn through tinder-dry terrain, as hundreds of firefighters struggle to...
this is a test
Judge to rule on land condemnation
News
Judge to rule on land condemnation
Town seeks slice of property for walking trail; resident c laims use unnecessary
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 16, 2025
A district judge is expected to rule this week on whether the town of Ridgway can seize a slice of a resident’s property to create a walking trail, after a trial concluded last week. The conflict date...
this is a test
Aspen Democrat seeks to unseat Hurd in Congress
News
Aspen Democrat seeks to unseat Hurd in Congress
Alex Kelloff, first-time candidate for public office, stumps in western Colorado
By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
July 16, 2025
An Aspen Democrat tried and failed twice in the last two elections to represent the 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House. Now, a different Democrat from Aspen hopes he’ll have better luck in 2...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
News
Trio of incidents keeps rescuers busy
July 16, 2025
The Ouray Mountain Rescue Team kept busy last weekend, rescuing or assisting two hikers and a paraglider who were injured over three consecutive days. The first incident happened around 12:30 p.m. Jul...
this is a test
News
County to tackle problem with addresses
Irregularities create trouble for emergency responders
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 16, 2025
Sometimes it takes Ouray County emergency responders knocking on doors and waking people at three different homes at 2 a.m. to find the person who needs their help because no addresses are listed on t...
this is a test
Funding issue postpones Ouray wildfire mitigation
News
Funding issue postpones Ouray wildfire mitigation
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 16, 2025
A 93-acre wildfire mitigation project in the hillsides above Ouray is on hold until at least next fall, while project leaders keep their fingers crossed for more than $500,000 in federal money. The Ou...
this is a test
News
Application period opens for county manager job
July 16, 2025
Ouray County's next administrator will be required to live within the county. That's just one of the requirements listed in the application to become Ouray County’s next manager, which is open after c...
this is a test
Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events, Feature...
Calendar & Events
July 17-30, 2025
July 16, 2025
THURSDAY JULY 17 "Natural Tie–Dye" activity with the youth garden club for ages 8–18, from 3:30–4:30 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library, 300 Charles St. Tech Thursday – Get help with quick tech proble...
this is a test
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy