Kazuko Kitsuta

Kazuko Kitsuta

Resident of Mt. View

Jan. 5, 1927 - Oct. 4, 2010

Kazuko Kitsuta passed away peacefully on October 4, 2010. She leaves behind her son, Joseph, her two daughters, Jeannie Whitlock, and Alice Augustin, and her three precious grandchildren, Marisa and Brian Whitlock Jr. and Andrea Augustin.

Kazuko came to this country in 1952 from Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan with her husband, Masao, who served in the Military Intelligence Service branch of the US Army. She became a citizen in 1956.

Kazuko was a talented professional chef. She spent many years as a Tempura Chef at Sakura Gardens in Mountain View, as well as Bullock's dining room, and Nataraja Restaurant. One of the highlights of her cooking career was in 1960, when the Winter Olympics were held in Squaw Valley. She was honored by the Japanese ski team request to have her cook their meals while they stayed in the village.

In 1975, she leased a coffee shop in Palo Alto called Rich Maid Donuts. After one year there, she fulfilled her life long dream of owning her own restaurant when she bought Kazu's Coffee Shop. Kazuko and her daughter, Alice, ran a colorful breakfast and lunch counter that became a fixture on Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park until 1987 when she sold her business and retired.

Kazuko spent the remainder of her days enjoying her grandchildren and retired life. A memorial service will be held at Spangler Mortuary in Los Altos on October 9, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Kazuko Kitsuta Alzheimer's Tribute Fund. http://act.alz.org/goto/Kazuko.Kitsuta.