Obituaries

From Escanaba, Michigan, age 94, died Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Chelsea Retirement Community. She was born March 1, 1928, in Nagoya, Japan, she was the daughter of Hitoshi and Jyo Sasa.
 
Masako was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Escanaba. She spent the majority of her career working as a nurse's aide at Whispering Pines. She enjoyed reading, lottery scratch offs, and mint chocolate chip ice cream. She will be remembered as being tough, fun-loving, opinionated and hilarious. Her greatest joy and biggest accomplishment was raising two independent, fierce daughters and their families.
 
On September 19, 1961, Masako married Arne Arntzen in Nagoya, Japan and he precedes her in death. Her siblings also precede her in death: a brother, Mitsuo Sasa and a sister Yoshie Makigano. She is survived by 2 daughters, Kristine (Ragan) Edgerly of Austin, Texas, and Audrey Schmidt, of Chelsea; 6 grandchildren - Camilla (Tom), Josh (Kira), Adam, Hunter, Roy and Noah, 3 great-grandchild - Tom, Emmaline and Hana and several nieces and nephews. Masako was also preceded in death by her son, Fredrick Arntzen.
A memorial service will be held in Escanaba, Michigan sometime next year. Arrangements have been entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, Michigan. 
 
You may use the form below to share a memory or leave a public message for Masako's family. Please allow 24 hours for us to review and post your comment.