Kathleen “Joan” Kalasinsky, 91, of Sheridan, passed away peacefully Monday, May 5th, 2025 in her home at the family ranch outside of Dayton with her family by her side.

Joan was born in Spencer, Iowa on October 30, 1933 to Oliver & Winifred Hosteng.

She grew up on the family farm east of Spencer, graduating with the Class of 1951. After High School, she began working in secretarial positions, which she continued throughout her lifetime. In 1955, she married Shelby Schoening and they moved to Sheridan. Shelby was killed in an oilfield accident near Kaycee the next year, after which she decided to stay in Sheridan.

Joan met her life partner, Dick Kalasinsky and they were married in May of 1958. Dick was employed with Peter Kiewit Construction and they soon moved to Rapid City during the construction of Ellsworth Air Force Base. Upon its completion, they returned to Sheridan with the company and Joan worked as a secretary for Drs. Kane, Carroll & Wilson.

They welcomed their son David in July 1962. Dick was promoted and transferred to the home office in Omaha in 1966, where Dick & Joan lived until past his retirement. They then moved back to the town they loved - Sheridan in the fall of 1996, to be closer to Dave and the ranch near Dayton they purchased in 1987.

Joan was very active in her many roles with Sheridan Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and her groups at the First United Methodist Church – both in Omaha and Sheridan.

Joan is survived by her son Dave, his wife Tara (Tynan) and their children Theron & Katy. The family would very much like to thank all the staff of Newbold Homecare for all their loving care of Joan during her struggles with dementia over the last 18 months – you were a true blessing.

A Celebration Of Life will be held at Champion Kane Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 11:00 am with a dessert reception to immediately following the service in the Champion Kane Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church in Sheridan.

Internment will follow in the Elks section of the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.

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Champion Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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