Obituary of Lorraine Elizabeth Levandowski

 

Levandowski, Lorraine Elizabeth. Age 84 of North Oaks, formerly of Northeast Minneapolis, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2022.

 

Lorraine was born to Inez and John Leiviska on January 9, 1938 in Aurora, MN. She had 4 siblings: Shirley, Ralph, Diane and Paul. Lorraine and sister Diane were adopted by Philip and Myrtle Johnson of Northeast Minneapolis.

 

On January 1, 1955, Lorraine and her husband Richard Levandowski married in St. Ansgar, Iowa and they raised 3 children, Richard Jr. (Juanita) Levandowski, Sherrell (Dale) Otto, and Elizabeth (John) Connell.

 

Lorraine and Richard met at Win’s Drive-In and Restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis (owned by Richard’s parents). Lorraine and Richard crossed the border into Iowa to get married on New Year’s Day. This exciting, love-driven decision resulted in more than 67 years of marriage.

 

Lorraine attended Edison High School, and earned her nursing degree from North Hennepin Community College in June of 1978. She started her nursing education after her youngest child entered grade school, making Lorraine the oldest student of her graduating class at the age of 40. Throughout her working career, Lorraine worked at the University of Minnesota and then worked as a registered nurse at Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis and North Memorial in Robbinsdale.

 

Lorraine’s experience in the foster care system and adoption process led her to become a foster mom for many children in need. She was an active volunteer, serving with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and with her church. Lorraine was a long-time member of Emanuel Lutheran Church of Northeast Minneapolis. She was creative and enjoyed painting in watercolor, playing the piano, knitting, crocheting and sewing. She was known for the Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy dolls she made for fundraising and the slippers she made for her family.

 

She also loved fishing, the cabin on Middle Crooked Lake in Nevis, swinging on the porch with her grandchildren, sharing her bountiful life stories; and, with her sense of humor, making others laugh. Lorraine would share memories of picking her favorite fruit, blueberries, with her family as a child in Northern Minnesota. She loved to hum and sing, and singing in choir. Lorraine was also known for her sweet tooth. She loved black licorice, ice cream, and anything chocolate, especially Tootsie Rolls.

 

Lorraine is survived by her husband Dick, son Richard (wife Juanita), daughter Elizabeth (husband John), grandchildren Christopher Levandowski (wife Erin, children Robert, Andy, Ryan, Chloe), Erik Levandowski (wife Erin, daughters Elena, Catherine), Laura Levandowski-Jones (husband Mike), Grant Rothnem (daughter Kenadie), Blake Rothnem (fiancé Tina, sons Charles, Porter), Moriah Rothnem, Taylor Connell (husband Morgan, son Oliver), Dylan Connell (girlfriend Lauren); son-in-law Dale; sister-in-law Betty Larson, three half-brothers Leonard Leiviska, Allen Weijo, and Richard Weijo, and very special friend Sue Kelash Levandowski. She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Sherrell and siblings Shirley, Ralph, Diane and Paul.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts preferred to Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA.org) or Parkinson’s Foundation (Parkinson.org/MinnesotaDakotas)

 

Family will hold a private service. Inurnment will be at Sunset Cemetery in Northeast Minneapolis. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Minnesota.

 

Lorraine will be dearly missed. She was full of love, laughter, and wisdom. Her memory will be carried on by her loved ones.