Phyllis Takayama

Phyllis Louise Nelson Takayama completed her earthly journey on November 10, 2024, at age 101. She was born October 5, 1923, in DeKalb, Illinois, the oldest of five children of Floyd Benjamin Nelson and Gladys Gustava (Wallin) Nelson. She grew up on a large farm where the farmhouse was built around a two-story log cabin, dated 1835.

A memorable high school experience was playing the cello for two years in the Illinois All State Orchestra, which was conducted by Dr. Joseph Maddy of Interlochen. She won the DeKalb County scholarship to the University of Illinois by examinations in English, Language and Literature, and Physics (her subject of choice).

At the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, she studied chemistry and biology, graduating as co-valedictorian of her class. She was a Bronze Tablet scholar, elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Delta Pi, and other scholastic societies. Phyllis was also House President of 50 young women at Presby (Presbyterian) Hall on campus.

After teaching a few years in northern Illinois, she accepted a position with the Dearborn, Michigan, public schools. While attending Central Methodist Church at Grand Circus Park in Detroit, she met Mitsume Takayama from California. They were married at Central Church on June 17, 1950, by Dr. Henry Hitt Crane.

While on an extended maternity leave, Phyllis completed a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Michigan and later a Bachelor of Science in Medical Record Administration from Mercy College in Detroit, and became an RRA (Registered Medical Record Administrator).

After working as Assistant Director of Medical Records at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, she went up the road a short distance to teach medical records in a new program at Henry Ford College until retirement. Her students scored among the highest in the nation on the ART (Accredited Record Technician) exam.

After vacationing on Lake Leelanau for many years, Phyllis and Mits purchased a fully-wooded lake lot in 1970. They had a shell erected, finished much of the work on the home themselves, and moved “Up North” permanently in 1987.

Phyllis was a founder and officer of the Leelanau County Chapter of MARSP (Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel), a long-time volunteer of the Suttons Bay–Bingham District Library, a 20-year member of the Suttons Bay Book Group, and a Bingham Township Election Official.

Her favorite forms of relaxation were handweaving and handspinning. She was a 50-year member of the Michigan League of Handweavers, attended many conferences and workshops, and exhibited locally and statewide. Her home was furnished with handwoven rugs, blankets, shawls, table linens and other fabrics. Weaving and spinning kept her in touch with her Swedish heritage.

To celebrate her 90th birthday, Phyllis purchased a new car which she enjoyed driving along Leelanau's scenic rural roads. She renewed her driver's license at age 95 and had driven for 80 years without an accident.

She was predeceased by her husband, Mitsume, in 1995, daughter Kristin, son Erick, sister Donna and brother-in-law Ronald Nelson, and brothers Floyd, Jr., Rex and Kenneth Nelson.

Survivors include daughter-in-law Judy Takayama of Acme, grandson Michael A. Tompkins of Florida, and many nieces and nephews of California, Illinois, Wisconsin and New York.

She will be laid to rest in Bingham Township Keswick-Maple Grove Cemetery next to her husband, daughter and son.

Those wishing to memorialize Phyllis may consider the Leelanau Conservancy, 105 N. First Street, Leland MI 49654.

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