Eugene "Gene" Robert Levandoski's Obituary
Eugene “Gene” Robert Levandoski, 95, died March 20, 2026, in Greenfield, Wisconsin. Gene was born on October 7, 1930, in Racine, Wisconsin, the only child of Eugene V. and Elizabeth (Petersen) Levandoski. He grew up in a close-knit family, surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins and graduated from Park High School in 1948.
Gene proudly served in the US Navy from 1948 to 1949 and continued in the Naval Reserves until 1953. After his military service, he returned to Racine and worked as a stocker in the produce department at A&P. It was there that he met the love of his life, Arline Post. When she came into the store with a friend, Gene struck up a conversation, asking her to borrow $15 to buy a shirt. Though she declined the loan, she later accepted a date. They were married in Racine on June 7, 1952, and went on to raise four sons together.
Gene started working at Western Publishing in 1951, first in the warehouse and eventually as the production manager of games and puzzles. In the 1970s, he was trained to hand-draw the puzzle dies – anything from 12 to 1200-piece puzzles. The puzzle piece designs for puzzles printed at Western from the mid-1970s to the late 1980s were all drawn by Gene. He retired from Western in 1987.
In retirement, Gene found joy in simple pleasures. Summers were often spent in his backyard relaxing in the sun while listening to Chicago Cubs games on the radio. He was known for his homemade tanning mixture of baby oil and iodine. After a few hours, he would walk across the street to take a “dip” in Lake Michigan. He and Arline also enjoyed golfing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Arline, his beloved wife of nearly 61 years, passed away in 2013. Gene remained devoted to her throughout her illness and was by her side at the end. He was also preceded in death by his parents.
Following Arline’s passing, Gene moved to Parkview Senior Living Community in Caledonia, where he formed close friendships with a group affectionately known as “The Family.” He spent many happy hours playing his favorite card games, cribbage and Schafkopf. Even at 95, he could tally a cribbage hand in an instant. He also enjoyed a daily cocktail – Fleischman’s gin with just a “whiff” of vermouth.
Gene is survived by his four sons: Tod (Mary) Levandoski, Scot (Linda) Levandoski, Dave (Karen) Levandoski, and Kirk Levandoski; his grandchildren: Michele (Charlie McVay) Levandoski; Corey Levandoski, Haleigh (Brian) Field, Ginna (Justin Lauer) Levandoski, Tanner Levandoski and Owen Levandoski; and his two great-grandsons: Theo McVay and Grant Field.
Gene rarely spoke ill of others and could always be counted on for quiet support and care. With a dry, sarcastic sense of humor and a knack for keeping others on their toes – especially at the cribbage board—he brought joy to those around him. He remained connected with lifelong friends until the very end. Gene will be remembered for his deep love of family and friends, his unwavering kindness, and his loyalty to those he held dear. He was dearly loved and will be profoundly missed.
The date and time for services at West Lawn Memorial Park are pending at this time.
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