Jean Hiroko Takeshita

December 20, 2024 – December 22, 2024

Jean Hiroko Takeshita was born on December 20, 1939, in Waianae, Oahu to Kazumasa and Clara (Masae Hirata) Fujimoto. She grew up in Honolulu with her brothers and sisters, Stanley, Rita, Richard, and Irene and was a 1957 graduate of Farrington High School.

After graduating from the University of Hawai’i with her degree in elementary education and library science Jean married her high school sweetheart, Wayne. In 1964, after receiving an interview (not a job offer!) to become a school librarian, Wayne and Jean packed up their car and four crates and moved to Des Moines, Iowa. The plan was to live on the “mainland” for five year and to travel. Fortunately, she got the job (even though she did have to walk uphill to school, in the snow, both ways!).

Later they moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where Jean stayed at home to raise their son, Erik. She doted on Erik, taking him on the bus to the public library, planning elaborate birthday parties, making Halloween costumes, and sewing his clothes. Jean also volunteered at a local elementary school, sewed and sold Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls that she would sell at craft fairs, and even tried (unsuccessfully) homemade winemaking.

As Erik got older, Jean went back to teaching. First as a librarian at Immaculate Heart of Mary and then for the St. Paul Public Schools. She ran libraries at Riverside, Roosevelt, and Cherokee Heights, and later Humbolt Jr. High on the West Side of St. Paul. She also served as a multicultural resource coordinator and worked in the student placement office. After retiring, filled her time traveling, visiting family and friends, volunteering at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and participating in multiple book clubs.

Jean and Wayne had a true partnership and were married for 56 years. They loved car trips and travelled throughout the United States. When people would visit, they enjoyed showing people around – be it near (looking for Peanuts characters in St. Paul or a drive to Stillwater) or far (driving to Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, or numerous presidential libraries).

Jean cherished her family – her sisters Rita and Irene and brothers Richard and Stanley – their partners and her many nieces and nephews. Even though she lived in Minnesota for over 50 years (not five, as originally planned), Hawai‘i was always “home” and Jean made it a point to visit regularly, spending many summers (and, after she retired, winters) in Hawai‘i.

Jean was an amazing mother and incredible grandmother. She was always there for Erik and his wife Denise, and loved spending time with her grandchildren, Malia and Kiana. She and Wayne loved taking them on “field trips” to Como Zoo, the Science Museum, an apple orchard or sledding. She enjoyed reading to them, telling stories, and baking cookies or doing art projects.

Jean was a ray of sunshine and will always be remembered for her big smile and bright laugh. She was a happy, sweet, and thoughtful person. Jean walked through life with a sense of curiosity and a willingness to try new things. She didn’t take life too seriously (and could be sassy at times, especially when playing cards) and would make the best out of any situation. Jean was a woman who loved and cared for her family very much.

Jean will be deeply missed and always remembers. We love you very much mom, grandma, Auntie Jean!