Anne M. Presenkowski of Denver died at home on Aug. 22, 2014 following a long life full of strength, adventure and love. She was 89.

Anne was born April 19, 1925 at her family's home near Kleenburn, Wyo., the daughter of George and Anna Zowada Legerski. The third of nine children eight who survived to adulthood, she was raised within a strong Polish-American clan, and she remained fierce to her Polish-American roots all of her days.

The day after she graduated from Sheridan High School in 1943, she boarded a bus and moved to Denver, Colo., and has been an enthusiastic booster of the Mile High City since. She attended a two-year secretarial program at Denver University and was employed as a secretary to John W. Geiger, Sr. A friendship with the Geiger family has lasted decades.

Shortly after World War II, while at a polka dance at the Polish Hall in Globeville, she met Donald Presenkowski, a Globeville native and also the son of Polish immigrants, who had served with the K-9 Corps in the Pacific Theater. They were married September 20, 1947 in St. Joseph's Polish Church in Denver. Their union was blessed two children, Carol and Don.

After her children were in school, Anne returned to college and graduated with a degree in business education from the University of Denver. Anne was widowed at age 39 when her husband died of a sudden illness. Singlehandedly and with tireless determination, she supported her children and provided them with a college education working as a business teacher at West, South and Thomas Jefferson High Schools. She retired at age 60 and traveled the world: rural Poland, China, the former Yugoslavia, New Zealand and Australia, Budapest, Vienna and Prague, plus every state in the United States and most Canadian provinces.

To Anne, life was a banquet to be enjoyed. She played golf, bowled, participated in water aerobics and was a stickler for the rules at card games. She was an expert cake and pie baker and enthusiastic hostess and everyone's favorite Aunt Anne, always up to taking guests to the newest and best restaurants that Denver had to offer. Above all, she was the world's most tenacious and loving mother and grandmother.

Anne is survived by Carol Presenkowski Schmidt of Bozeman, MT, and her three children: Jordan (Sam) Larson of Sacramento, Calif.; Zach Schmidt of Bozeman and Andrew Schmidt of Denver. She is also survived by her beloved son, Don (Kerri) Presenkowski of Parker and his children: Levi Troy Simenson of Cody, Wyo.; Nikki (John) Butler of Cody; Tera (Chris) Kostelecky of Wheatland, Wyo.; and Kera (Drew) Thompson of Midland, Texas. She is also survived by sisters, Elizabeth Betty Stanko of Gordon, Neb.; Erma Pagliocca of Linten Close, N.J.; and Helen Siegoski of Buffalo, Wyo.; as well as brother, John Legerski of Sheridan, Wyo. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Korah, Asher and Leven Butler of Cody as well as numerous godchildren, nieces and nephews, all of whom were very dear to her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, her parents and siblings, Olga Pilch and Roman and George Legerski, all of Sheridan.

The family wishes to thank all that have cared for Anne so beautifully in the last months of her life - many whom became friends and angels on her journey. A special thanks to All Generations In Home and Denver Hospice.

The family suggests that donations in Anne's name be made to the Denver Teacher's Club, 990 Glencoe St, Denver, CO 80220 or the Denver Hospice, 501 S. Cherry St., #700, Denver, CO 80246.

Horan and McConaty - Aug. 2014.