Yoko Yamakawa Elsner

Yoko Yamakawa Elsner passed away Saturday September 3 2016. She resided at Cottonwood Place for the past two years. She made many good friends and had many good memories of the parties and gatherings at Cottonwood. She lived most of her adult life in Cache Valley where she worked at Utah State University in the Veterinary Science Department as a research supervisor specializing in virology. She coauthored several papers which are still being cited in tissue culture literature. Yoko was born on October 6, 1928 in Tokyo Japan. She was the youngest daughter of six children born to Heihachi and Mann Yamakawa. In 1956 Yoko came to Logan to further her training and attend Utah State where she met her future husband Larry E. Elsner. They were married in 1959. Larry was a sculptor and a professor in the Art Department at USU from 1960 until his death in 1990. Yoko was a passionate supporter of Larry’s artistic career and even after his death, worked tirelessly to see that his work was properly preserved, exhibited, and documented.

Yoko helped others for her entire life. She and her husband Larry often helped Japanese students adjust to life at USU and in Cache Valley. Their home was often the gathering place for friends to enjoy Yoko’s culinary talents. A warm welcome and delicious food were offered often to newcomers and old friends alike. Yoko loved her involvement in the Allied Arts Guild of Logan and the Old Main Society at Utah State University. She supported many students through scholarships for the Intensive English Institute and the sculpture program at USU. Her love and support of classical music, opera, theater and dance in Logan and Salt Lake City were renowned. A special favorite of Yoko’s was the Lyric Theater in downtown Logan founded by her dear friend Vosco Call.

A special thank you goes to the staff at Cottonwood Place, Yoko and her family felt so secure and loved by you all. The compassionate care given to Yoko was greatly appreciated.

She was preceded in death by all her siblings and her husband Larry E. Elsner. She is survived by her daughter Tami Ione Leppert, son in law Mark F. Leppert and grandchildren Kristin Tingey and Alice Leppert. She will be missed by all. Condolences and memories may be shared online at allenmortuaires.net. Arrangements are by Allen-Hall Mortuary of Logan.