Gladys Toyoko Kondo Takasaki October 11, 1930 - December 17, 2023

Our dear and beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gladys Toyoko Kondo Takasaki, was freed from her frail body and dimmed mind on December 17, 2023. We rejoice that because of Jesus Christ and His sacred gift, her spirit has gone to heaven to be joyfully reunited with her husband, Fred Takasaki, and her parents Ruth and George Kondo and so many who love her and waited for her return. She was born on Oct 11, 1930 in Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii and grew up there on that beautiful island. She was an important member of her family as the oldest of five girls and two boys. She was obedient and trustworthy and helped her family succeed by helping in their saimin shop and soda water factory.

At age 11 she led her family to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She learned about the gospel from missionaries and desired to enter the waters of baptism and receive the Holy Ghost. Her parents hesitated at first but then gave in to her strong desire. As Gladys attended church faithfully and brought members and missionaries into their home, her parents and siblings also became members of the Church. Her entire family was sealed to each other in the Laie, Hawaii Temple when she was 17 years old in 1947.

Giving their children a college education was an important goal for George and Ruth Kondo, and they worked hard to send Gladys to Brigham Young University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. It was there at BYU that she met Fred Takasaki while participating in the Hawaiian Club. They were married on June 23, 1953, in Lihue, Kauai and later sealed in the Manti, Utah Temple on May 19, 1961.

She was a devoted mother to Roman Yasuo Takasaki and Kiefer Mitsugi Takasaki and held them close in her heart throughout her 93 years. Although it was not expressed openly, they knew and felt her deep love. She returned to Hawaii with the boys every summer and worked in the Dole pineapple factory. Roman remembers fondly that he and Kiefer would spend time with their Kondo grandparents and enjoy remarkable summers, playing in the ocean and on the beach, helping their grandfather with his plumbing jobs and chores, and learning about the Hawaiian culture.

Although Gladys intended to be a P.E. and dance teacher, she found that she was more suited for office work. When her husband Fred was hired at Snow College to teach art, she began working as a secretary to one of the administrators at the school. She proved to be a hard worker, skilled in every duty, and became a valuable asset to the school.

It was there in Ephraim, Utah that she and Fred were befriended by a remarkable couple, Vertis and LaRue Michaelsen Nielson. The Nielson’s had no children of their own, and so they opened their hearts and home to Gladys and Fred. When Roman was born, LaRue stepped in to take care of Gladys and the baby. The two families merged into one. Out of respect to Gladys’ parents, they insisted on being called Aunt LaRue and Uncle Vertis. With this relationship came a priceless acceptance into the extended Michaelsen family. Gladys’ children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren are blessed to this day by this very special relationship.

From Ephraim the family moved for a short time to Ann Arbor, Michigan while Fred earned a master’s degree in fine arts. They returned to live in Provo, Utah where Fred taught Asian art history at Brigham Young University. They eventually built a beautiful home on Cherokee Lane in Provo.

Gladys enjoyed working and was a valuable employee. In 1968 after moving to Provo, she began working at Central Bank as secretary to Blaine Hadley. She was promoted to assistant cashier, assistant vice-president, and eventually earned the position of vice-president. She retired at age 65 from Central Bank in 1995 after 27 years. According to fellow workers, Gladys “ran the bank behind the scenes.” After mandatory retirement from Central Bank, Gladys still wanted to work and was hired by Roman’s medical office, Spanish Fork Clinic and Canyonview Medical until she begrudgingly left because of memory problems. She also worked nights as a waitress and became close friends with Sui Ying Lew and Ann Wong.

She was left-handed and very dexterous. She loved to crochet and made luggage tags and sink scrubbers by the hundreds, beautiful dresses, baby blankets, and table pieces. For a season, she would go to Heindselman’s Yarn and Gift shop every day after work and sometimes during lunchtime where she became a real expert under the tutelage of Norma Dee.

She enjoyed sports and for several years swam every day at BYU after work. She also loved to bowl and was a member of a bowling league and earned several trophies. She loved going to BYU basketball and football games with friends and was nominated as a super fan by coach Norm Chow.

She continued to be a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and attended church weekly until two weeks prior to her death and paid her tithing faithfully to the end. Even with failing memory, she could open the hymn book to the correct page and enjoyed singing the familiar hymns. She and her friend, Ann Lambert, went to the Provo Temple weekly for several years. She was loved by her ward members and had wonderful ward leaders, ministering sisters, and friends who showed their love and support.

Gladys was able to live with family until her death. After her son Kiefer moved to Hawaii, she treasured the times when Kiefer returned with Linda and their two children, Lindzi and Tanner to spend time with her and Fred. Her last six years were spent at the home of her son Roman and his wife Ann. She enjoyed the hustle and bustle of that busy home and loved seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never wanted to be a burden on anyone and was sweet and pleasant. For her 93rd birthday, she had a big celebration with family and friends. All of her family were there to celebrate her life. Shortly after that she began to lose strength and eventually passed away peacefully on December 17, 2023.

She is survived by sons, Roman (Elizabeth Ann) and Kiefer; sister, Miriam Fujishige (Melvin), five grandchildren: Stephen (Jen), Aimee, David (Casey), Lindzi, and Tanner, and nine great-grandchildren: Paxson, Edison, Liv, Alina, Anya, Lennon, Kaito, Luci, Masato, and another grandchild on the way.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred Takasaki, parents Ruth and George Kondo, sisters Eleanor Ream (Dale), Nancy Shimonishi (Masao), Lillian Kamimura, (Richard), and brothers George Kondo Jr. (Sumiko) and David Kondo (infant).