Yaeko (Sato) Brunner

Yaeko (Sato) Brunner passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 96 on September 26, 2025 in the comfort of her home surrounded by love. She gave of herself fully as a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Devoting her life to her family.

Yaeko was born May 22, 1929 in a prefecture of Sendai, Japan to Yokichi and Kimie (Monden) Sato.

In 1953 she met and married the love of her life Gerald D. Brunner while he was stationed in Japan with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

They moved to the states after having their first born to grow and raise their family. They were married for 64 years before his passing in 2017. Living in Wisconsin and Texas for a short time before settling in Watsonville, California to raise what would become a family of 6 children. Later in life, to be near growing families they had a home in Modesto and Marina, California.

Yaeko met every challenge, coming here learning English and everything new in a country foreign to her.

Educated in Japan and being the intelligent, resilient woman she was, she never wavered from family first.

Her career was raising her family. Which she devoted herself to.

She was an amazing cook and could turn nothing into something. Having her family together was one of the things that brought her the most joy.

A true homemaker, she enjoyed hand sewing and crocheting. Blessing not only her family but many with baby sweaters, booties, hats and blankets.

Baking bread and pies was the smell of love coming from her kitchen often.

She loved being near the ocean and often enjoyed sunsets with her husband as it reminded her of her homeland of Japan.

Yaeko is survived by her sister, Miyako (Sato) Kanno of Japan; daughters, Theresa Concepcion (Dan), Tammy Witham (Carey), Linda Crabtree (John), Deborah Smith (David); daughter-in-laws, Sherie Brunner, Leigh Ann Parker; 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Yokichi and Kimie Sato; her brother, Mamoru Sato of Japan; her sons Thomas L. Brunner, Gary M. Brunner and grandsons Steve and Jeffrey Concepcion.

After her cremation and future date to be determined she will be laid to rest in Watsonville next to her beloved husband with a private family service.

Published in The Pajaronian · October 10, 2025