Obit: Olson, Sayoko (1932 - 2016)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Greschner, Olson, Pipkorn, Rohmeyer, Uchiyama,

----Source: The Owen-Withee Enterprise (Owen, WI) 7/15/2016

Olson, Sayoko (Uchiyama) (8 OCT 1932 - 13 JUL 2016)

Sayoko (Uchiyama) Olson, 83, passed away on Wednesday July 13, 2016. She was born on October 8, 1932, in Tokyo, Japan to Suekich and Kan Uchiyama.

Sayoko worked at a U.S. Army Post located in Tokyo in the early 1950’s where she met Orlando “Ole” Olson, who became her beloved husband of 63 years. They married in Japan in 1953 and began their family there before moving back to Owen, Wisconsin in 1955 to raise their growing family. She proudly became an American citizen in 1972.

Sayoko was an extraordinary woman who had a gentle demeanor, a comforting smile, and an admirable work ethic. While Orlando often worked outside the home, Sayoko worked hard to establish the family farm and centered her life around her ever-growing family. She always made time to have fun - some of her favorite activities included watching professional wrestling with her grandchildren, playing penny-poker and Yahtzee around the dining room table, and celebrating holiday parties into the late night hours with her 100+ family members.

Sayoko kept beautiful Japanese traditions alive in her home. She cooked traditional Japanese meals for her family - no small feat since ingredients had to be acquired from Japanese grocery stores in Chicago. In the spring, she celebrated Japanese Girls’ Day, where the girls in the family dressed in kimonos and set up an elegant display of ornamental dolls in their home. For Boys’ Day around Easter-time, Sayoko and her family held the tradition of kite flying, and on that day, dozens of colorful kites could be seen in the sky over their farm with kids running through the fields. Sayoko often tied her kite to a fence post when the sun went down so it would continue flying through the night.

Sayoko is survived by her children Pauline (George) Rohmeyer, Arlene (Mike) Greschner, Julie Pipkorn, Orlando (Jackie) Olson, Robert (Wendy) Olson, Thomas (YoAnna) Olson, and William (Angela) Olson; one sister located in WI and one sister in Japan; three brothers located in Japan; and many nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Japan. She loved being with babies and babies seemed to easily connect with her - a great skill as she was blessed to be called “Obachan” (Japanese for “Grandma”) by 23 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 11 step-great-grandchildren.

Sayoko is preceded in death by her husband, Orlando “Ole” Olson who passed away July 2, 2016; her son, Floyd; her great-grandchildren, Ryder and Kyanna; her parents, Suekich and Kan; her son-in-law, Randolph Pipkorn; one brother, three sisters, and one niece.

Funeral services will be held at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home located at 607 E. 4th St, Owen, WI on Saturday, July 30, 2016, with visitation from 9:30-11:00 AM, and a memorial service from 11:00-11:30 AM.