Duane Vernon Levandowski

Duane Vernon Levandowski, 77, formerly of Chaska and Eden Prairie, passed away peacefully and returned to the Lord in his tranquil home in Chiquintad, Ecuador, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025.

Duane was born 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 the values of hard work.

After high school, Duane worked on a ranch in Montana until joining the U.S. Air Force as a mechanic. He married Mary Sowada of Foley on Sept. 18, 1971, and they welcomed five children together.

He left his career as a computer programmer to pursue his own home remodeling business and became a true jack-of-all-trades.

In 2018, Duane sold almost everything, learned Spanish, and packed up for his last great adventure to Ecuador. Over the past six years, he lived a simple life of gardening, storytelling, and making new friends.

His absence will be deeply 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 tell those we hold dear how much we love and appreciate them.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Alma (Schlict) Lewandowski.

He 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; and siblings, Darrell (Theresa) Lewandowski, Sharon (Mike) Kinney, and Beverly (Rick) Johnson.

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 who leans close to a good tree is blanketed by its shade.”

This Ecuadorian proverb encourages seeking goodness in life. Duane Levandowski did just that.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in memory of Duane or donate to the Arbor Day Foundation.