Ilene Frances Levin: A Woman of Valor

Duluth, MN -- Ilene Frances Levin passed away Sunday, May 6, 2012, after a twenty-five year, incredibly courageous and inspirational battle against head and neck cancer. Ilene was born on April 29, 1955, in Racine, Wisconsin. It can be said of Ilene that for her entire 57 years she lived her life in such an exemplary manner that she truly possessed the idealized traits of a woman of valor as immortalized by King Solomon in the words of Proverbs 31. Ilene was the youngest of three children in a well-established Jewish family, born to Harold and Pearl Levin in Racine, Wisconsin. Besides being loving, it can be said that both of Ilene’s parents were wonderful examples and instrumental in establishing the foundation of her strong work ethic and impassioned community involvement.

After graduating from high school, Ilene chose to stay close to home and attended college at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside. There she earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees. Between earning those degrees, she worked at Parkside as a guidance counselor. Ilene cherished her experiences at Parkside, and remained a strong supporter of Parkside her entire life. For most, having an MBA would be enough; for Ilene it was just the beginning. To enhance her employability, she went back to school and earned a Master of Accounting Science from the prestigious University of Illinois She earned a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee; she also found time to become both a CPA and a Certified Management Accountant. She had a long association with the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants administering professional exams.

For a number of years, Ilene was co-owner (with her husband Steve Goldfine) and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Goldin Properties Midwest, a hospitality management company in Duluth, Minnesota, that operated hotels in northern Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan. Prior to that, Ilene also spent several years in the electric manufacturing and banking industries, was a small business consultant providing assistance with loan packaging as well as all aspects of business planning for the Center for Economic Development in Duluth. She was an author and instructor of continuing education courses. Ilene had teaching experience in both Finance and Accounting at University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, Marquette University, and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee prior to becoming an Assistant Professor at the Labovitz School of Business at the University of Minnesota – Duluth.

Ilene’s community involvement included service on the Board of Directors and as a committee person on the Duluth – Superior Community Foundation, North Star Community Development Corporation, Minnesota Business Finance Corporation. At UMD, Ilene was on boards for both Glensheen and the Tweed Museum. She was Treasurer of Temple Israel in Duluth and served as Co-President of the Northland Jewish Fund, and nationally on the Network of Independent Communities of the Jewish Federation of North America, as well as the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas.

Ilene is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Steven Goldfine of Duluth; sister, Barbara (David) Behnke; nephew, Joseph (Danita Evans) Behnke; grandnephews, Isaiah and Isaac Behnke, all of San Jose, California; brother, Jess (Ellen) Levin; nephews, Jonathon (Sarah) Levin and Adam Levin; and grandniece, Ella; mother-in-law, Beverly Goldfine; sister-in-law, Amy Goldfine; brother-in-law, Dan (Robbie) Goldfine; niece, Ariel; and nephew, Jonah Goldfine, all of Scottsdale, Arizona; nephew, Jason Levin of Milwaukee; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Donde Goldfine of Duluth; niece, Fia Goldfine; and nephew, Ted (Julie) Goldfine of St. Paul; and of course, Thurber, Ilene’s very special pet beagle.

Ilene’s funeral was held on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at Temple Israel in Duluth, Minnesota. Memorials can be sent to the Ilene Levin Scholarship Fund at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside, the Ilene Levin and Steven Goldfine Fund at the Racine Community Foundation. Those who followed Ilene’s long and courageous battle against cancer may choose to send memorials to the Oral Cancer Foundation, inNewport Beach, CA., or Caring Bridge.org.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine  (262) 634-7888