Paul T. Levandowski

Six-term Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors Member and long-time Fond du Lac musical presence Paul T. Levandowski passed suddenly and unexpectedly from this life on Saturday evening, March 4, 2017 in intensive care at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah, Wisconsin. He was with his loving wife Patricia, daughter Nadia, his brothers and sisters, other family and several close friends when he passed.



Paul was born January 24, 1950, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin to the late August and Audrey (Paine) Levandowski. He was the second of five Levandowski children, graduating from Pacelli HS in 1968. Despite inheriting a visual disability, Paul grew into a vibrant, active and talented musician and a hard worker who coped with his disability through sheer strength of purpose, boundless energy and an unstoppable zest for life.



He was attracted to contemporary music at an early age, meeting and working with many stars of his time. He was a popular and exciting drummer, playing with more than 50 area bands including Kitty & The Kats, Dominoes, RJ & The Real Deal, J Harrison B, to name just a few. He especially loved the blues. His knowledge of music, (as with any topic in which he took an interest) became encyclopedic, and his friends still marvel that he could retain such a detailed recollection of music, recording dates, performances and more to their utter bemusement and amazement. He built and ran his own home recording studio for many years and taught and encouraged many young area musicians.



Paul’s enthusiasm for life was unbounded. It was seemingly impossible for him to speak to any topic without filling his voice with enthusiasm. He was always loyal to his family and his friends, and cared very deeply for those in his community who needed a voice to speak for them; a leg up; a helping hand; or a guiding force. This aspect of his personality is what propelled him into local politics and made him a determined and accomplished County Board Member. He served on numerous committees including Aging & Disability, Advocap and the Natural Beauty Council.



Over the years, Paul never shirked his responsibility to provide for home and hearth. While his first love was music, he nevertheless provided for his household by working at G & L and later Kiekhaefer until retirement. He even faithfully delivered Action Advertisers for many years, often riding his bike loaded with papers. (“Shhh! Don’t tell Ma! She’d worry too much”, he’d laugh!)



A member of the Noon Optimists, Paul took delight in working with the Junior Optimists at Woodworth Junior High. He was a staunch and supportive member of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church until it closed.



It bears repeating that Paul Levandowski loved life so much that he lived it to its fullest. He collected friendships the way billionaires collect rare gems: Not to use up, but to treasure.



Paul is survived by his wife of 27 years, Patricia, daughter Nadia Jo (special friend Nathan Hanke), and granddaughter Ryleigh Jo, all of Fond du Lac; step-daughter Kathy (Jody) Jaeger and their children Paige and Jonah of Theresa; and step-daughter Jean (Clyde) Moench and their children Brandon and Ethan of Oshkosh.



Further survived by siblings Sr. Lois M. Levandowski, SSJ, TOSF of Green Bay; Mark R. Levandowski of Menomonee Falls; Marla J. Morgan (husband William C. Knudson) of Marshfield; Joel M. Levandowski (wife Jane) of Eau Claire.



Also by brother-in-law Jim Gaffney (Cindy) of Fond du Lac and sister-in-law Mary Krause (Paul) of Chico, CA; aunts Betty Paine of Tucson, AZ and Anne Levandowski of Milwaukee; as well as an extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins.



We would be remiss if we didn’t include these special friends who Paul considered the “crown jewels” of his treasure house: Ken Sprotte; Jeff “Pooh Bear” Mallman; Robert Hatch; Dan Gilgenbach; Brad Billman; Phil Dudzunski; Steve Kirchhoff; Red Muellenbach and Father John Radetski.



A visitation and celebration of Paul’s remarkable life will take place from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Sunday, March 12, 2017 at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, Wis.



A Memorial Mass will be celebrated the next day, Monday, March 13, 2017 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 10:00am until the time of Mass, at Sacred Heart Church, 200 S. Peters Ave., Fond du Lac. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Fond du Lac. Cremation has taken place.



In lieu of flowers, Paul’s family encourages Memorial Donations to OccuPaws Guide Dog Association, P.O. Box 45857, Madison, WI 53744, or to the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 1700 W. State St, Janesville, WI 53546.