Genevieve (Lukovsky) Zivkovich

Genevieve (Lukovsky) Zivkovich, age 94, passed away peacefully on August 23, 2026 surrounded by those who loved her. Gen was born in Duluth, Minnesota on September 7, 1931 to Nicholas and Sophie Lukovsky. She graduated from Morgan Park High School and went on to attend Duluth Business College. She later managed a dental office and worked for several other businesses in Duluth. She married the love of her life Vladimir “Walter” Zivkovich on June 21, 1953 and they had three children. Mom had warm, sparkling eyes and beautiful smile. As our dear friend wrote when hearing of her passing, “I’m so, so sad to hear this. Gosh, I admired and adored her. She was a beautiful role model for all of us women. Strong, intelligent, loving, caring and yet gentle at the same time. We loved her.” Gen enjoyed so many things throughout her life - gardening and beautiful flowers, playing her favorite Deuces Wild poker machine at the casino, getting a little competitive over bingo, and working out almost daily well into her late seventies. She also found so much joy in all types of music - which of course included Tom Jones concerts! She cherished her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the special family puppies, Maggie, Mila, and Teddy - she lit up whenever they were around. Gen enjoyed more than 30 years of fun and sun in Florida, where she and Grandpa Vlad attended countless athletic games and events for their grandchildren. We will always remember the holidays as Grandma Gen made endless platters of her classic homemade baked goods, including apple and cottage cheese strudel, and her addicting puppy chow. Gen always wanted the best for others. Her generosity, selflessness, and optimism were uplifting and inspiring to our entire family. After her husband passed away nine years ago, Gen continued to enjoy life with family and friends. She took frequent trips back to Minnesota to spend time with loved ones and appreciated every minute of being together. She didn’t miss an opportunity to make more memories with the people she cared about. For Grandma Gen, being surrounded by the people she loved was always her own “green, green grass of home.” Grandma Gen, you will forever be in our hearts. Gen is survived by her three children, Cindy (Tom) Wilmers of Minneapolis, MN; Kim (Don) Mastro of Atlanta, GA; and Roddy (Laurie) Zivkovich of Chanhassen, MN; grandchildren Natalie (Tim) Olmstead of Lakewood Ranch, FL and their children Elle, Madeline and Harper; Jaclyn (Matt) Hentges of Minneapolis and their children Milo and Millie; Lauren (Jacob) Fenno of Atlanta and their child Alessandra; Daniel Mastro of Atlanta; Peyton Zivkovich of Chanhassen; and Greta Zivkovich of Chanhassen. Gen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vladimir, her siblings Olga, Walter, Alexander, Constantine, George, Peter, John, baby brother Joseph and baby sister Marie. Our family would like to thank those special people in her life including, Nephew Jeff and Cindy Milosevich, Linda and Steve Grzanich, Teresa and Tom Young, and Hugh and Mary Jo Bailey. A private service will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Vladimir. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, Duluth, MN.

Genevieve (Lukovsky) Zivkovich

September 7, 1931 - August 23, 2026