Obituary of Renee Okazaki

Renee Talbot Okazaki was a caring wife, mother, sister, grammy, and friend. She left this world peacefully, surrounded by her most treasured loved ones, after a long and brave fight with heart disease. 

Renee was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Raymond and Irene Talbot on July 20th 1961. After graduating from high school Renee sacrificed her dreams of becoming a merchandise buyer, to move home and take care of her mother after her father passed. Renee then became a successful optician and even at one point sold eyeglass to Prince himself. 

Renee always had an eye for design, taking on projects to design office spaces, including the opticals where she worked. 

After she married her husband Steve in 1993, Renee continued to show her creative side and worked part time while her children Nina and Dana were little. 

When she moved to Nebraska, Renee became very involved with her children's school. She was an active member of the PTA, designing, running and organizing the schools scholastic book fairs every year. Then was equally involved when her daughters joined the bowling team. 

Even on the home front, Renee never rested. She was involved with her neighborhood association, as head of the party planning and landscape committee. If she wasn't doing things for the bowling team, Renee was planning events for her neighborhood. 

Her family spent many days helping her set up for set up for 4th of July parades, Halloween trick or treat parties at the local nursing home, Bingo nights, and block celebrations. Her landscape committee design work can still be seen on the Granger O'Shea signs in Lincoln, Nebraska where she lived.

Though she loved giving back to her community, her true love and passion in life was her family. Most recently in 2021, she was blessed with her 1st grand child Henry. She loved that little boy more than anything, and she tried her very hardest to stay on this Earth to watch him grow up. 

It has been unbelievably difficult for her family to have such a vibrant, witty and person who was so full of life be taken so soon. She has left a hole in their lives that will never be filled. 

She always said she had many more things she wanted to do with her life, but now she will get to have the most important job of all- being her family's guardian angel. Watching them, guiding them, and keeping them safe.

Renee is survived by her loving husband Steve, daughters Nina and Dana, son in laws Ben and Andrew, and sweet grand baby Henry.

There will be a dinner and celebration of her life on March 26th, 2022 at "The bonus room" in Lakeville, Minnesota from 530 to 8:30 PM. A Zoom meeting will also be available for those who cannot attend, but wish to be apart of the celebration. 

Zoom ID: 243-887-5864

Zoom password: Renee 

Her wish was to be cremated and scattered in the desert as she "hated sharks" and didn't want to be near the ocean.

In Lieu of flowers/cards, please donate to your local humane society in Renee's name. She would have wanted the money to go to the "Puppies and Kitties" as she would say.