Samuel Kootaka

Samuel Kootaka, 77, of Suring, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, at The Bay at Suring Nursing Home. Sam was born March 17, 1942, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to the late Samuel and Martha (Simeona) Takata. He grew up in the Hilo area of the Big Island of Hawaii. Sam graduated from Hilo High School. In 1962, Sam became a Merchant Marine working as a fireman-water tender aboard the U.S.N.S. Longview, which was mapping islands in the Pacific Ocean. Sam also served his country in the United States Army for two years as a medical corpsman stationed at a clinic in Thailand. Sam worked at local hospitals in Honolulu, Hawaii, in the maintenance department dealing with chillers and boilers. He had three children from his first family: Kamuela, Keala and Alton. On Dec. 22, 1979, Sam was united in marriage to Jeanette Slang at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, and together they had a daughter, Sa Jen Kootaka. Sam was a member of the Green Bay Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

Sam is survived by his wife of 40 years, Jeanette; his two children, Keala Takata of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Alton (Wendy) Takata of Newark, California; granddaughter, Skylar; two brothers, Vincent (Momi) Takata and Larry Takata, both of Hawaii; sister, Pauline Takata of Hawaii.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Sa Jen Kootaka; a son, Kamuela “Sam” Takata; two brothers, Stanley and Eugene Takata; sister, Mary Jane Kekaualua.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church (11005 County Road M, Suring, WI 54174) from 9 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Fred Mai officiating. Sam will be interred in Maple Valley Lutheran Cemetery. Gruetzmacher Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church Community for the love and concern offered to Sam and Jeanette. Further thanks to The Bay at Suring Nursing Home and Compassus Hospice for the care offered to Sam in his time of need.

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