Kazuko Madsen

1935 - 2017

Kazuko Sakamoto Madsen

February 7, 1935-January 30, 2017

Kazuko Sakamoto Madsen passed away peacefully at UCSF Medical Center on January 30th surrounded by family and friends. She was just a few days short of celebrating her 82nd birthday.

Born in Osaka, Japan, Kazuko experienced firsthand the horrors of war when her family home was bombed in March 1945. Her father, whom she adored, was blinded and died shortly thereafter. A child herself and as the oldest of 3 children, she had to care for her young sister and brother. This sense of matronly care and love carried over the years to Kazuko's final days.

Kazuko met Carl Madsen in Japan in the late 1950's. Carl was an American Merchant seaman from New Bedford, MA . They fell in love and were married in 1959. Soon after, their first son, Mark Hiroshi, was born. In 1962, they moved and settled in San Francisco which remained her beloved hometown for the next 54 years. The births of 3 more sons followed, Carl Jr, who died in infancy, Richard Takashi and Steven Akira. With Carl away at sea most of the time, Kazuko raised her 3 sons on her own and although they lived on a tight budget, the children did not lack for anything with their mother preparing every meal and sewing up every tear in their clothing. Carl and Kazuko's marriage sustained its ups and downs and they stuck through it all. Their loving and lasting bond continued until Carl's passing in 2003.

An animal lover, Kazuko was blessed with numerous pets who also loved her as their mother. Her most beloved were Randy, Sheba, and most recently Tobey, her Miniature Pincher who passed away 2 weeks before she did. Kazuko's pleasures included dining out, reading Japanese romances, arguing with her husband, babies, and watching television, especially "Cops". She was an avid San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors fan, and she also loved Sumo Wrestling. In her later years, she loved her friends and family at Kimochi in Japantown , where she was a day resident and was cared for by their wonderful staff and volunteers.

Kazuko is survived by her sister, Tayoko Minetoma (Osaka, Japan), 3 sons, Mark (and wife, Ineke, Martinez, CA), Richard (Brandon, MS), and Steven (San Francisco, CA), 4 granddaughters, Alexandra Martin, Devin, Erin, and Gillian, 3 step granddaughters, Chava, Evi, and Maaike Anderson, and one great granddaughter , Chase Martin.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Drs. Eileen Watanabe and Joshua Bernstein as well as the stellar staff and volunteers at Kimochi for their compassionate care of our mother in her final years of life.

A Memorial Service will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park at 1000 El Camino Real in Daly City on Saturday February 18th at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kimochi Home: 1531 Sutter St. San Francisco, California 94109 or the San Francisco SPCA : 201 Alabama Street San Francisco CA 94103.