Zuiko Redding

Zuiko Redding

Cedar Rapids

On April 5, 2024, Zuiko Redding passed away peacefully at Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha, Iowa.

Zuiko was born December 15, 1943 to John and Effie Le Blanc in Mount Kisco, New York. She grew up in Texas where she encountered Zen Buddhism as a university student. She obtained a Ph.D from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1977 and taught Sociology in several states.

Zuiko embarked upon advanced training in Zen when she studied in Milwaukee with Tozen Akiyama and in Minneapolis with Dainin Katagiri. In 1992 she was ordained in Japan by Tsugen Narasaki. She remained to practice under his direction at Zuioji Monastery, and its mountain training center, Shogoji. She was certified as a teacher in the Soto Zen tradition by Rev. Narasaki in 1996 and returned to the U.S. in 1997.

Zuiko established the Cedar Rapids Zen Center in 1999 and served as its resident teacher until her death. She was active in the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County for many years.

According to her wishes, Zuiko has been cremated, with arrangements by Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Information about her Hōji (49th day memorial service) will be shared on the Cedar Rapids Zen Center’s website.

Memorials may be directed to the Cedar Rapids Zen Center, through their website.

Please share your support and memories with Zuiko’s family on her Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.