Akiko Okawa

Akiko Okawa was born September 12, 1928, in Syracuse, Utah to parents Kakutaro Okawa (father) and Run Shibata Okawa (mother). Akiko passed away on Sunday September 7, 2025, just days before her 97th birthday. Akiko graduated from Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah and studied nursing at Holy Cross Hospital School of Nursing. After a year, Akiko decided that nursing school wasn't for her, and she worked as a nanny for a short time. When she decided to go back to school, she enrolled at Weber State College and then transferred to the University of Utah where she graduated in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in medical technology specializing in microbiology. Akiko was very proud of having earned a top score over the 95th percentile on her national medical technology licensing examination. Akiko worked at LDS Hospital until she retired in 1987.

Akiko enjoyed playing golf with her sisters, nieces and nephews, even though much of her time on the course was spent swinging her golf club at air and not hitting the golf ball. But what was important to her was spending time with family. Gambling in Wendover and Las Vegas was a passion of Akiko’s where she regularly contributed to the bottom line of the casinos that she frequented. In exchange, the casinos often welcomed her with open arms by giving her complimentary rooms and meals. Akiko loved cheering on the Utah Utes Football team and the Utah Jazz where she had a wealth of knowledge and instant recall of facts about the players and teams.

Akiko is survived by her sister and best friend Ruthe and dog Gizmo, brother Dr. K. Kay Okawa, sister June Murata and her nieces and nephews Karen, Lesley, Bob, Allisyn, Noriene, Gordon, Ruth, Phyllis and Josette, and her grand nieces and nephews Mari, Raynie, Gabe, Matt, Craig, Nick, Ally, Mika, Brandon and Lauren.

Graveside Services will be held on Saturday September 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Memorial Lakeview Mausoleum, 1640 Lakeview Dr. Bountiful, Utah. Friends may visit family September 19, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E. Bountiful, Utah.

The family would like to extend a special Thank You to Dr. Shashank Sama and Amber at the Huntsman Cancer Center. And for the care she received, thank you to South Davis Community Hospital and Monument Health Stonecreek.