Edna Toshiko Wake was born on January 21, 1914 in Reedley, California, the second born and eldest daughter of eight children. She grew up on a farm in the Central Valley town of Reedley and learned her hard work ethic and responsible nature from farm life. Her joy was the close companionship of her siblings and the fellowship of the church.
On July 29, 1935, Edna married Jutaro Shiota, and she relocated to San Francisco. There she had two sons, Philip and Paul. Shortly after the start of World War II, because of their Japanese ancestry, the family relocated from San Francisco to Dinuba. They were able to pack up a business within three days and move with two small children. Soon after this initial move, the Federal Government evacuated the family to the Poston, Arizona internment camp block 326-12-D. Through sponsorship of the Quakers they were permitted to leave for Cincinnati, OH. When Jutaro was drafted as a replacement recruit for the 442nd Battalion, she was left in Cincinnati to raise the two boys.
In 1946, after the war ended, the family was able to move back to San Francisco. They reopened the family business, "T.Z. Shiota Oriental Objects of Art" which was founded in 1897 and is currently located at 3131 Fillmore St. and is run by son, Paul. The passing of her husband in 1969 tested her strength. Her family, faith in God and her own personal resolve kept her going.
Edna was survived by her sons, Philip (Evelyn) and Paul (Kazuko); brothers, William Wake (Mary) and Lloyd Wake (Marion); sisters, May Iwahashi (Don), Alice Sakai (the late Tom), Florence Nagano (Dr. Rev. Paul), Lillian Koda (Ronald) and Betty Machida (Calvin).
