YEAR – YEAR
Deceased’s Full Name: Duane Vernon Levandowski
Date of Birth: 4/9/1947
Location of Passing: Chiquintad, Ecuador
Date of Passing: 1/28/2025
Biographical Information:
Duane Vernon Levandowski, 77, formerly of Chaska, passed away peacefully and returned to the Lord in his tranquil home in Chiquintad, Ecuador on Monday, January 28th, 2025.
Duane was born on April 9,1947 in Gilman to Benjamin and Alma (Schlict) Lewandowski. He was the oldest of four children and grew up on a farm learning values and work ethic. After high school, Duane worked on a ranch in Montana until joining the AirForce as a mechanic. He married Mary Sowada of Foley on September 18, 1971 and they welcomed 5 children together. He left his career as a computer programmer to pursue his own home remodeling business and truly became a jack of all trades. In 2018, Duane sold almost everything, learned Spanish, and packed up for his last great adventure to Ecuador. Over the last 6 years, he lived a simple life of gardening, storytelling and making new friends. His absence will be felt in our daily lives. We will miss his constant expressions of love, wise words of encouragement, sharp wit, determined free spirit, and infectious laugh. This sudden loss reminds us to chase our dreams and remember to tell the ones we hold dear how much we love and appreciate them.
The family would like to express our deep appreciation to all of Duane’s wonderful friends in Ecuador who helped him on his adventures abroad, welcomed him into their communities, and loved him like family. We appreciate connecting with you and learning that we shared a love of the same Duane, shining through time, culture, and space. Our hearts are together in grieving and celebrating Duane. We are intensely grateful for the love you have shown him over the years and for your care in his passing. Special thanks to Janet Sinclair for being our rock during this time. There are no words to express our gratitude for your compassion and support.
“Quien a buen árbol se arrima buena sombra le cobija.” –
He/she who leans close to a good tree is blanketed by good shade.
This Ecuadorian proverb gives the advice to seek out the good in life. Duane Levandowski did just that.
Surviving Family Members:
Duane is survived by his children Brian (Jess) Levandowski, Joleen (Patrick) Doyle, Aron (Jena) Levandowski, Jason (Corinne) Levandowski, and Meghan (David) Lien; grandchildren Lillian, Abigail, Lewis, Aidan, Evelyn, Rumzi, Cora, Sofia, Archer and Myles; siblings Darrell (Theresa) Lewandowski, Sharon (Mike) Kinney, and Beverly (Rick) Johnson.
Preceded in Death By:
Duane is preceded in death by his parents Ben and Alma (Schlict) Lewandowski.
Funeral Service Details:
Celebration of Life to be held in coming months.
Memorial Contributions:
In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in memory of Duane or donate to the Arbor Day Foundation.
