Honoring Ikuyo Fernelius: Help with Memorial Expenses

Support for Ikuyo Fernelius’ Funeral and Memorial Expenses

Dear Community,

It is with deep sadness that we share that our beloved sister, Ikuyo Fernelius, peacefully ascended to the spirit world on April 23, 2025, at 1:05 PM, following a long journey of health challenges. Though we knew she was facing serious difficulties, her passing came sooner than we expected. She fought with incredible strength and grace, surrounded by love until her final moments.

Ikuyo was born on June 7, 1949, and lived a life of deep devotion to Heavenly Parent and to our community. Her warmth, quiet determination, and sincere faith touched countless hearts over the years. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love, service, and unwavering spirit.

As we come together to honor Ikuyo’s life, we also want to support her dear husband, Dan, during this tender and difficult time. We have set up this fundraiser to help cover funeral, memorial, and other related expenses. Any contribution, big or small, would mean so much to her family and help ease the financial burden as they navigate this season of grief.

Please consider giving what you can, sharing this fundraiser with others who knew Ikuyo, and most of all, continuing to lift her family in your prayers.

Thank you so much for your love and support.

With heartfelt gratitude,

AZ Family Church

A short little writing by her husband Dan, and if you know Dan, you can hear his story telling, deep, loving voice while he shares this:

Ikuyo Tokitsu Fernelius

Ikuyo was born out in the countryside in the Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan on June 7, 1949. She had a happy childhood eating raw fish for a snack like we would eat apples. In junior high she was 5 feet tall and was the center for her girls’ basketball team.She enjoyed various sports and other school activities. After high school she worked as a receptionist at a golf store and played golf with some of the customers from time to time. She met a missionary from the Unification Church who introduced her to Jesus when she was in high school in 1966. Later, around 1974 she went to Germany as a world missionary. In 1985 or so she came to Arizona to be the "mother figure" for a lively church center. She was also the church bookkeeper. In 1992 she was matched and blessed to Dan Fernelius and they lived in Phoenix serving the local church community. Ikuyo also taught Japanese to a number of people in Arizona. She was a beloved teacher who cared deeply about her students. Ikuyo loved life and always brought her smile and bright spirit wherever she went.