DR. PETER LUKOVSKY

DR. PETER LUKOVSKY

Dr. Peter Lawrence Lukovsky, 81, passed away Friday, April 13, 2012.

Peter was born in Duluth June 14, 1930, to parents Nicholas and Sophie Lukovsky. He grew up in Gary-New Duluth, where his family lived with his seven brothers and sisters. He graduated from Denfeld High School in 1949 and then attended UMD for two years while serving simultaneously in the Air National Guard.

Always driven to succeed, and ambitious, he then attended Logan College of Chiropractic from 1953?1956 where he received his Doctorate of Chiropractic. He held chiropractic licenses in Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, and Minnesota. On July 5, 1957, he opened his clinic 'Lukovsky Chiropractic Clinic' where he proceeded to use the healing art and science of chiropractic for 45 years to change many lives with his skillful hands and jocular good-natured attitude.

He was also an accomplished businessman who built, opened and ran the Woodland Liquor Store and the Register Bar in Scanlon for many years. In the 1980's he decided to advance his knowledge further and after attending several years of additional seminars and exams, he received his Diplomate in Chiropractic Orthopedics. He retired in 2001 following a stroke but never lost his desire to learn more about health, help people and share some humor.

Following the opening of his clinic, he met Darlene Hedstrom of Superior, and they were married Oct. 1, 1966. They enjoyed dancing and through the years cut up the floor together many a time. They bought a home in Morgan Park a few years later and that is where they raised their three children together. Always a close family, they shared a lot of laughter and love. In 2005 they built the home they now have, where their cabin had been for many years, on Island Lake in Duluth.

Dr. Pete enjoyed watching the birds and deer from his lakeside view and helping to watch over his precious grandchildren several days a week in recent years. Dr. Pete was a people person who loved to tell a good joke and have a good time. Many people will remember the yearly lamb roasts he threw, complete with music (usually polka), water sports, a sauna, plenty of food and drink and lots of laughs.

He enjoyed animals and so there was always a family dog and at certain points in time a backyard filled with ducks, rabbits and a pigeon coop that housed more than 100 types of pigeons. He had many wonderful and memorable hunting and fishing trips that took him as far as the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, Alaska, the Arctic Circle and as close to home as Isle Royale.

He was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies and Shriners of the A.A.D Temple. As a Shriner, he was a member of the Gotcha Patrol for many years driving a Dune Buggy in parades across the state of Minnesota.

Dr. Pete was preceded in death by his mother, Sophie Oleksinski Lukovsky; father Nicholas Lukovsky; brother Walter (during WWII where he served as a U.S. Army Ranger); brother Alexander; brother John; a baby sister Marie; and a baby brother Joseph.

Dr. Pete is survived by his wife of 45 years, Darlene Hedstrom Lukovsky; children Dr. David (Nikki) Lukovsky of Duluth, Dr. Steven (Tory) Lukovsky of Duluth and Dr. Lori (Rob) Lukovsky of Forest Lake, Minn.; grandchildren Max Lukovsky of Duluth, Jaya Lukovsky of Duluth, and Isla Norris of Forest Lake; sisters Genevieve (Walt) Zivkovich of Orlando, Fla., and Olga Milosevich of Minneapolis; brothers Connie Lukovsky of Duluth and Dr. George Lukovsky of Duluth; and many nieces and nephews.

Dr. Pete was exceedingly proud of his three children who followed in his footsteps to become Chiropractors and carry on a tradition. He was also very grateful for his loving wife who has been a dedicated caregiver and companion to him all these years.

We would all like to thank the kind and caring staff at St. Luke's hospital, including Dr. Miller and Dr. Sprout as well as the amazing staff at the Solvay Hospice House for their tireless efforts in offering him comfort and always showing how much they care. He always referred to the ladies there as 'Peter's Angel's". We never doubted he was in very capable hands in their company. Solvay has shown us that there truly are angels walking among us.

Dr. Pete had a favorite saying, and it was, "This too shall pass". He has gone with God, and we wish him miles and miles of blueberry fields and deep, clear lakes filled with fish to catch. We know he's finally able to put his dancing shoes back on and jitterbug through the stars.

Thank you to everyone who expressed concern and offered prayers. They were greatly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Dr. Pete's name to the Solvay Hospice House.

GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS: 10 until the 11 a.m. memorial service Saturday, April 21, in Sunrise Memorial Funeral Home in Hermantown. Private inurnment will be at later date.

Arrangements by Sunrise Memorial Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk, Hermantown.

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