Sue (Sakaguchi) Arnold

Sue Arnold, 80, of Idaho Falls, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on February 25, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on November 8, 1944, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Takeno Sakaguchi and Fusako Miyasaki Sakaguchi. Sue was raised in the Osgood area where she helped on the family farm. She attended schools in Idaho Falls, graduating from Idaho Falls High School.

After high school, Sue pursued a career in nursing, earning her LPN at Sacred Heart Hospital. She later transitioned to a career as a Keypunch/Computer Operator at the Idaho National Laboratory.

On December 2, 1972, Sue married Allen Ray Arnold in Idaho Falls. Their life together took them to various Navy duty stations, including Charleston, South Carolina, where their daughter Sandra was born, and back to Idaho Falls where their son David was born. They later moved to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Bremerton, Washington, and then returned back to Idaho Falls. Sue was a dedicated homemaker until her children were in school, at which point she worked in food services for the Idaho Falls School District 91 until her retirement in 2008.

Sue's biggest passion was her family. She was always the family hostess. Her pride and joy was being a wife, a mother, and most importantly, a Bachan (grandmother). She had many interests and hobbies, including cross-stitching, quilting, and supporting her Utah Jazz team, often using colorful language to cheer them on. She also was a member of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Sue is survived by her loving husband, Allen Arnold of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Sandra Sumiko Arnold of West Jordan, UT; son, David Allen (Jilene) Arnold of Meridian, ID; grandsons, Heath Arnold, Holden Smith, Wade Arnold, and Charlie Arnold; granddaughter, Grace Smith; her siblings, Bill Sakaguchi of Renton, WA, Aeko June Date of Idaho Falls, ID, Mimi (Paul) Koida of Milwaukie, OR, Jane Holzer of Bountiful, UT, Doreen Ferris of Conrad, MT, Victor Sakaguchi of Idaho Falls, ID, Una (Bob) Tyng of Idaho Falls, ID, and Della (Greg) Kellogg of Conrad, MT.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Takeno and Fusako Sakaguchi; her in-laws, Allen Benjamin and Estee Arnold; sister, Kayo Maxine Sakaguchi; brothers-in-law, Ronnie Arnold, Frank Date, and Herb Holzer; and sister-in-law, Mitzi Sakaguchi.

A memorial service will be held at 12 noon Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge in Idaho Falls. The family will receive family and friends from 10:00-11:30 a.m., with the service to follow. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Heritage Home Health and Hospice, especially Shawn, Tammy, and Dr. Wallace Baker, for their compassionate care.