Michiko Teets

Michiko Teets, 90, of Bucyrus ended her earthly journey early Monday, December 5, 2016 at Heartland of Bucyrus where she was being cared for with the assistance of Homecare Matters Hospice.



Mickey was born May 28, 1926 in Chibune (now part of Osaka), Japan. One of five children of the late Toramatsu and Yoni (Senda) Yamanaka. She was working at the US Army base in Kobe, Japan when she met an American GI from Vanceburg, Kentucky named Alva M. Teets, Sr. They were married November 2, 1951 in Kobe, and she made the bold and courageous move to the US, arriving with her young family in February 1952. The Teets family moved to the Bucyrus area in 1953. Alva preceded her in death September 19, 1999.



Few can understand how brave a Japanese immigrant to the US had to be in the 1950s, but Mickey’s love for Alva and her family helped her overcome the prejudice she faced and she soon fell in love with her new country and community. She and other “war brides” established the International Friendship Club and she became a proud US citizen in the 1960s. Mickey worked as a nurse’s aide at Bucyrus Community Hospital, then worked at Swan Rubber, and then made her way to Heartland and Altercare nursing homes. She also was a bookkeeper for Alva’s service station, Teets Marathon. She was raised a Shinto Buddhist and came to faith in Jesus Christ in the 1970s. She worshiped with Alva at the former First Christian Church and became a member of St. John’s UCC where she attended with her daughter.



Always up for an adventure, Mickey was ready to travel any time the chance came, visiting various US destinations and returning to Japan six times. She liked getting together with friends and Red Hatters, learned to swim at the age of 70, and at home she enjoyed watching television, gardening, knitting and crocheting many blankets and ill-fitting slippers.



Michiko is survived by the loving family who brought the most joy to her life, children Kenneth (Charmaine) Teets of Bucyrus, Harold (Rose) Teets of Denver, Colo., Joyce (Joseph) Barciz, Sr. of Bucyrus, and Alva Teets, Jr. and his partner, Dr. Craig Cohen of Columbus; eight grandchildren, Andrew (fiancée Alison Carsten) Teets of Dayton, Rebekah (Matthew) Kirgis of Bloomville, Brian (Kallie) Teets of Denver; Ashley Gantzler Butler (Matt Morasco) of Galion, Sean Teets nSJ of St. Paul, Minn., Sara (Daniel) Teynor of Marion, Samantha (Adam) Grzybowski of Hilliard, and Stephanie (Logan) Stang of Columbus; four great grandchildren, Ivan, Emi, Evan, and Ellisa; and many nieces and nephews.



The Teets family will receive friends on Thursday, December 8 from 4-6 pm and Friday, December 9 from 10-10:45 am at Wise Funeral Service where the funeral will be held on Friday at 11:00 am with Pastor Joe Platt officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.



Those wishing to give memorial contributions are encouraged to give at the funeral home to Homecare Matters Hospice or St. John’s UCC Memorial Fund. Memories and photos can be shared on Mickey’s Tribute Wall.