Burt Sagawa

Burt Kiyoshi Sagawa was born in Phoenix, AZ on March 20, 1924 to Kiichi Sagawa and Fumi Masuda Sagawa.  He lived in the Phoenix area with his family until 1937 when the family traveled to Japan to visit his ailing grandfather. His father and mother desired that he and his sister stay in Japan with an uncle to learn the Japanese customs so this was done.  Unfortunately, while they were there WW II broke out and he was unable to return to the States.  Burt continued his schooling in Japan, graduating from high school and entering Waseda University.  When the war was over he left school and worked as an interpreter for the U.S. military to earn enough money to come home.  Upon his return he worked with his father to build up the family truck farm business which had been very successful, but had been taken away from them when his parents and siblings had been forced into internment camps during the war.  When the war was over the manager would not give it back to Kiichi and since the Japanese were not allowed to be citizens he had no recourse.

In 1952 Burt entered the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and graduated in 1957 with a degree in chemistry.  He immediately began work for 3M as a research chemist and also served as a translator and host to Japanese businessmen, continuing with 3M for 32 years until his retirement in 1989.

Kiyoshi was married to Miyoko Kojima on August 17, 1957 in Los Angeles, CA.  They lived in Bloomington, MN raising two children until Miyoko was called home to Jesus in 1985.

When the children, Lisa and Tim, were young Burt was involved with them in Boy Scouts, Little League, Hockey, Indian Princess, School and Church activities.  They also enjoyed camping trips and traveling to California to visit relatives.

On June 17, 1989 Burt married Lauretta Jane Ruby at Trinity Covenant church in Crystal, MN.  They lived in Crystal for the rest of his life.  The two enjoyed family time, gardening, traveling, and walking together.  They regularly enjoyed attending Orchestra Hall and the Guthrie Theater.  The love they shared was noteworthy, even by Burt’s physical and and occupational therapists while in home care.

Burt also enjoyed carpentry work, car repair, some electrical repair, and reading novels, history books and the Star Tribune in his spare time.

As a child Burt received Jesus as his Savior and endeavored to follow His example to us the rest of his life.  He served on the Crosstown Covenant Sunday School board, the church education board, sang in the choir and enjoyed the bowling team when he lived in Bloomington and participated in a weekly Bible Study.  He was also an active member of Gideons International.  In later years he became a member of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, MN where he participated in Big Groups, Small Groups, and Disciple U classes.

Burt was called to his eternal home with Jesus on July 23, 2016.  He is survived by his faithful and loving wife, Lauretta; daughter, Lisa Kei Dengerud, and son, Timothy Sagawa, both of Bloomington, MN; grandchildren Brittany Miyo Laeger (Pat) of Maplewood, MN, Kyle Kiyoshi Dengerud of Denver, CO, Christianna Kei Dengerud of Eagan, MN and Jesse Akio Sagawa of Minneapolis, MN; younger sisters, Yasuko May Shelton of Reno, NV and Kazuko Mizumoto of Long Beach, CA; and younger brother James Mamoru Sagawa (Karen) of Redwood City, CA.  He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Makoto Paul Sagawa who passed on in 1999 and sister-in-law Yaye Sagawa in 2009, younger sister Kyoko Betty Baba in 2009 and brother-in-law Harry Baba in 2011, younger brother Scott Satoru Sagawa in 2010, younger sister Midori Hirahara of Tokuyama, Japan in 2011, brother-in-law Katsumi Hirahara in 2000 and brother-in-law Sai Mizumoto in 1999.  He leaves many nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends to celebrate his life and ministry.  May his memory bless us all with joy and inspiration.

Memorials are preferred to Joni and Friends, Mission Aviation Fellowship, or SAT-7.  Blessed be his memory.

Visitation one hour before the service at the church. Interment Monday (8/15), 10AM at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, Crystal.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Wooddale Church 6630 Shady Oak Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Visitation one hour before the service at the church. Interment Monday (8/15), 10AM at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, Crystal.