JoAnn Fujikawa

JoAnn M. “Joey” Fujikawa, age 85, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away on July 18, 2025.

Joey was born on September 17, 1939, to Teruto and Yoshiko (Kimura) Fujikawa. She graduated from Waimea High School and went on to college at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

After finishing her degree, she moved to California where she taught grades 4-middle school in Hacienda La Puente Unified School District. Her ability to work with students and develop relationships with them made her a great teacher who loved her job. She continued teaching until retiring after 42 years. She also enjoyed traveling, crafts and baking.

In 2005, Joey moved from California to Madison, Wisconsin where she lived until her death. There she spent time with some of her family that survives her, her brother Edward (Joyce) Fujikawa and her niece, Brenda (Alan Kinnaman) Fujikawa. Joey especially loved time with their dogs, Cooper and Farley. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Marilyn (William) Fujikawa and Arlene (Robert) Fujikawa, nieces and nephews, and other family and friends. 

Joey was preceded in death by her parents, aunts and uncles, her brothers William and Robert, her niece Gail Kaleikini, and others.  

Joey’s life will be celebrated privately with her family at a future date. The family wishes to thank Joey’s friends, Karen Shawkey and Yvonne Swanson, for their knitting skills and many years of friendship; the staff of UW Hospital and Clinics, especially Dr. Michael Siebers, Dr. Gerald Pankratz, and Dr. John Temprano; staff at Wisconsin Dialysis/Fresenius Kidney Care American Parkway and Dr. Roy Jhagroo; the staff of her home at Eden Vista and her care team from Agrace Hospice.