Yuriko Elsie Nakata

Yuriko "Elsie" Nakata May 6, 1927 ~ September 2, 2015 Yuriko "Elsie" Nakata ended her long struggle with Alzheimer's on September 2, 2015. She amazed all with her fortitude and continued love of life. Even though the disease steadily eroded her capabilities, she continued to grace the room with a sweet smile when she heard the laughter of children or the voices of her family members gently teasing her. Elsie was born in Wenatchee on May 6, 1927, the third of eight children born to her parents, Torazo "Tony" and Misato Okada. She and her siblings, Toshiko, Setsuko, Kimiko, Aiko, Yasushi, Minoru, and Haichi all attended school in Wenatchee. At ten, Elsie was adopted by a childless couple, James and Tsuyako Nakano, who were orchardists in East Wenatchee. During WWII pursuant to Executive Order 9066, her biological parents and siblings who were residing in Wenatchee were transported to Wyoming and incarcerated at Heart Mountain Internment Camp. Because Elsie lived east of the Columbia River in Douglas County, pursuant to Gen. DeWitt's implementation of Exec. Order 9066, she was expelled from school and with her adopted parents spent the war years under house arrest, never able to leave the property unless accompanied by a deputy sheriff. As a teenager, she longed to have a social life. Even though she faced much adversity during her childhood, she harbored no bitterness. After the war, she met Ralph Nakata and they were married on November 9, 1946. During the early years, she worked side by side with Ralph, developing a successful orchard business. Between 1947 and 1958, she delivered five children: Nobi (Bill Morris), Jim (Kathy), Candace (Hill), Alicia (Stan Bastian), and Carolyn (Bill Cleveland). Elsie was all that a housewife and mother should be. She was an excellent cook, hosting dinner parties serving Japanese cuisine, an expert seamstress often creating matching outfits for her daughters, and had a green thumb in cultivating a huge garden of flowers and vegetables. She spent countless hours serving as a homeroom mother, a Cub Scout leader, a volunteer and officer in PTA, and as a deacon and dedicated member of the Church of the Brethren. She and her husband, Ralph, were founding members of the Misawa Sister City Association and developed a Japanese cultural display at the Wenatchee Valley Museum. Elsie was bashful and very humble about her talents, but she never failed to display an elegant artistic flair in doing things the "proper way". Upon successfully raising her family, she pursued her lifelong desire to complete her education and returned to school to obtain her GED at Wenatchee Valley College. She then wanted the experience of a career outside the orchard and home, and greatly enjoyed working in the Sears credit department. She loved to travel and fulfilled her wanderlust by experiencing the different cultures and shopping for curios on all of the continents, except Antarctica. After the passing of their respective spouses, Mary Kintner was her special overseas travel companion. The two never failed to have the next trip planned. Elsie spent many hours giggling in her kitchen playing cards and board games with Charleyne Roberts, who also helped teach the grandkids needlework. Elsie always had a sense of humor and left a legacy for her family of never hesitating to laugh at your mistakes. Elsie was predeceased by her husband, Ralph; and her daughter, Carolyn. She has eight grandchildren: Karen Diede, Shannon (Mark) Gibbs, Myndee (Lyle) Ronning, Jaimi, Kris, and Cameron Nakata, and Audrey and Elenore Bastian; and two great-grandchildren, Ruby Gibbs and Waverly Ronning. A very special thanks to the staff at Maple Lodge for their compassionate care and loving support of our Mother, and her family. Services for Elsie will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at the Brethren-Baptist Church United at 535 Okanogan, Wenatchee, with a reception following. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to the Misawa Sister City Association, P.O. Box 5385, Wenatchee, WA 98807-5385, or the Brethren-Baptist Church United. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA. .

Yuriko Elsie Nakata

May 6, 1927 - September 2, 2015