Eugene Zdanko Dodd

Service Details

Memorial service celebrating Eugene’s life will be held at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 5:30 pm with Henry Perez officiating. A reception will follow. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 3:30 -5:30 pm.

Memorial Suggestions

In memory of Eugene, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

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Mount Pleasant– Eugene Zdanko Dodd, age 94, passed away peacefully with family at his side, on Saturday afternoon, June 7, 2025.

Eugene was born in Racine, WI at midnight February 1, 1931, the third child born to Russian immigrants Antonina and Nickolas Zdanko, who came to the United States through Ellis Island.

He grew up in Racine where he was a 1949 graduate of Washington Park High School. While at Park, he met a beautiful young lady, Sharon, in the same homeroom. They went to Prom their senior year, the start of a lifetime relationship with the love of his life.

After graduation, Eugene went to University of Wisconsin – Madison and, while close to his degree, married his high school sweetheart, Laura “Sharon” (nee: Yeo), on August 22, 1953. The couple moved to Madison for Eugene to finish his degree, graduating in 1954 with a B.S. degree with an emphasis in Biology as he loved nature.

Following, the still newlyweds moved to Stockton, IL in 1955 where Eugene took on a role as a science teacher in their local school. He also became involved in several of their community service projects to protect the wild areas around town.

In 1957, Eugene “landed” his job at Western Publishing, so they moved back to Racine. He enjoyed his time at Western Publishing; he was part of the Creative Division which produced Golden Books. He was their science editor and was involved in “The Golden Home and High School Encyclopedia” development as well as many little Golden Books. He left Western in the late 1970’s and founded his own business, Treetop Publishing, where he produced blank books for kids called Bare Books. This was a tool to emphasize creative writing in children. He often told his daughter that she was his inspiration to starting the business as….one day he came home from Western and found Laura and her friends coloring in blank books. Treetop became extremely successful with numerous employees. As it was time for a much-deserved retirement, he sold the business in 2001.

On May 6, 1958, Eugene and Sharon gave birth to their only child, Laura. She became their only focus. As a proud father, he was always taking pictures.

Eugene was a passionately avid photographer with a focus on black & white work. He would take pictures of family events and a lot of time “setting them up” to get the best lighting…..by then everyone was tired of waiting so it was difficult to capture the best smiles, but family endured. He captured so many breathtaking images in his extensive travels across the country. He processed a lot of his own work in the dark rooms that he built in his homes, both on Virginia Street and Indiana Lane. His work was featured in area juried and invitational shows, including Wustum Museum. He was the President of the Racine Camera Club and won several “Best of Show” awards and numerous honorable mentions for his photos. Eugene also sold many of his pictures, both locally at the artist guild and at same of the starving artists’ fairs.

Eugene’s heart was broken when Sharon passed away September 15, 2018. He went to live at Primrose in 2022.

Eugene will be missed by his daughter and son-in-law, Laura and David DeGroot; and by nieces, Jenny Boettcher (nee: Flock). In addition to his parents & wife, Eugene was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Dodd; and sister, Marie Flock.

Memorial service celebrating Eugene’s life will be held at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 5:30 pm with Henry Perez officiating. A reception will follow. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 3:30 -5:30 pm. In memory of Eugene, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

A special note of thanks to the wonderful staffs at Primrose Senior Living and Harmony Cares Hospice for the compassionate care & support given in Eugene’s time of need. May God bless all of you!