Masako O. Logan

Masako O. Logan

March 30, 1925 – August 30, 2018

Preceded in death by husband, Billie F. Logan; daughter, Nanette Osborne.  Survived by daughter, Billie D. Logan (husband, Roger L. Miller); four grandchildren: Mary Osborne, Elizabeth “Coco” Osborne (husband, Nick Williams), Joseph Osborne, and Bobby Petersen.

VISITATION begins on Saturday, Sept. 8^th at 1pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by FUNERAL SERVICE at 2pm.  Private Interment, Cedar Dale Cemetery in Papillion.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Josie Harper Hospice House, Midlands Community Hospital Foundation, or Opera Omaha.

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Masako Ohto Logan was born on March 30, 1925 in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan to Masayoshi Ohto and Mine Uchida.  She had a brother, Yoshinobu, who was 11 years older.  He passed away when Masako was about 12 years old.

Masako’s childhood was spent attending the local schools, taking violin lessons, learning flower arrangement, kendo, sewing, crochet, knitting, gardening, and other activities. After high school, Masako attended college for a couple years but eventually stopped because Japan was heavily involved in World War II and women were needed in various jobs.  Once the war was over and Japan surrendered to the United States, she began a life that eventually brought her to the United States where she would remain until her death.

In 1949, Masako was hired to work for the U. S. Air Force as a clerk typist at Itazuke AFB outside her hometown.  She prepared orders for American soldiers who were transferred to or from Korea.  While working at the base, she met her future husband, Billie F. Logan.  On January 24, 1951 they were married.  Two daughters were born to this marriage – Billie Diane in 1952 and Nanette Mariko in 1954.  They lived in Japan until early 1952 when Bill was transferred back to the states.

In 1952, they were stationed at Eglin AFB in Florida. Masako was busy caring for two young daughters at that time. In 1957, Bill was transferred to Fairbanks, AK where they lived for four years.  During that time, Masako learned to drive, became a U. S. citizen and began to work outside the home in the Accounting Department at a local furniture store.

In the summer of 1961, Bill was transferred to Presque Isle, Maine.  While in Presque Isle, Masako worked in the Accounting Department for a local freight hauling company.  Maine averaged 100 inches of snow every winter.  That did not deter Masako from working outside the home.

In 1965, Bill was transferred to Offutt Air Force Base outside Omaha.  They bought their first and only home in LaVista that summer and remained there for the rest of their lives.  Masako worked at Lyman Richey Sand and Gravel in the Accounting Department, retiring in 1990.

During her early retirement years, she and Bill cared for the three oldest grandchildren so their mother could return to her career as a registered nurse.  Until she stopped driving, Masako took her dog for a walk to Halleck Park in Papillion every day, and while there she fed the squirrels and geese.  Masako loved to read, travel and, of course, shop.  She especially loved visiting National Parks and took several trips with her daughters to Florida, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota to name a few.  She especially loved the mountains as it reminded her of her childhood when she would visit her uncle north of Tokyo during the hot and humid summer months in Fukuoka.

In 1984, Masako returned to Japan with her oldest daughter for the first time since 1952.  It was during Cherry Blossom season and it was easy to see why she loved her country and how difficult it must have been to leave.  She would visit Japan, including her home town, at least six more times

Masako is survived by her loving and devoted daughter, Billie Logan (husband Roger Miller) and her four grandchildren: Mary, Coco (husband Nick), Joe, and Bobby, and her beloved Scottish Terrier, Iris who was faithfully by her side. Mom was deeply loved and cared for by her family.  She was such a role model of strength, independence, resilience, bravery, and most important, honor, and she instilled those values in her daughters.  She will remain in our hearts forever.