Christopher "Chris" Alan Lesko

Christopher “Chris” Alan Lesko, of Garretson, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Chris was born on April 6, 1960, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of two boys to Donna Galati and the late George Lesko. During his childhood, Chris spent time playing and watching baseball with his father—memories that remained special to him throughout his life. In 1965 Chris' brother Shannon was welcomed, where some time later the family moved to a farm outside of Merrill, IA. The boys grew up doing farm chores and learning the value of hard work at a young age.

In 1978, he graduated from Le Mars Community High School, left the farm and began his working career. Chris started at Harker’s in Le Mars as a route salesman, a position that ultimately brought him to the Black Hills of South Dakota. He went on to continue his career as a route salesman with Metz Baking Company, now known as Old Home Bread.

Chris was known for his passion for riding, fixing, and building motorcycles. He enjoyed fast classic cars, historical firearms, and especially unique and classic motorcycles—a passion carried on from his late stepfather, Norman Huls. Music was always close to Chris’s heart; he loved listening to and singing along with his favorite artists, including The Beatles, John Lennon, The Rolling Stones and AC/DC.

On April 22,1989 in Gillette, Wyoming, he married the woman of his dreams, the beautiful Cynthia Sleeth. The newlyweds lived in Sundance, Wyoming where together they would build a life and family rooted in love. In 1993, they welcomed their first daughter, Madeline “Maddy” Lesko, followed by their second daughter, Katie Lesko, in 1995. Later that year, in October, the family relocated from Wyoming to their forever home in Garretson, South Dakota, where Chris ran a bread route for Old Home Bread Bakery in Sioux Falls. He later became a route supervisor for Pan-O-Gold Baking Co. in Sioux Falls, where he would complete his bakery career in 2010.

Chris was a hardworking and generous man who touched many lives through his kindness, dedication to his work, and his love for motorcycles. He loved to make people laugh; his hearty, deep laughter—rising from deep within—was enjoyed by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by everyone whose life he touched.

In 2021, Madeline made Chris a proud grandfather to Iralyn Lesko-Wallace, a role he deeply treasured.

Chris is survived by his two daughters, Madeline “Maddy” (Lucas Wallace) Lesko and Katie Lesko; his granddaughter, Iralyn Lesko-Wallace; his mother, Donna Huls; his brother, Shannon (Jami) Lesko; his niece, Olivia Lesko; and his nephews, Tyler (Jennifer) Lesko and Shane Lesko; his uncle Lee (Diane) Galati; several cousins, his aunt Gloria Swanson, and stepmother Nancy Lesko.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cynthia “Cindy” Lesko; his father, George Lesko; his half-brother, Bryan Lesko; his stepfather, Norman Huls; grandparents and great-grandparents