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| Ruth Suekama |
Ruth Emiko Nakai (Poston 213-7-BC) was born on December 4, 1919 in Monrovia, California to Itsugi R. and Fusao Nakai.
In the spring of 1942, her parents with their 6 children were evacuated from Gilroy, California to the Salinas Assembly Center, and on July 5, 1942, they were transported and arrived to their permanent living quarters at the Poston, Arizona internment camp block 213-7-BC. Her father had selected a Nebraska farmer, Sam Isamu Suekama to be her husband, and they were married at Poston on May 6, 1944, and immediately left for Colorado. Ruth and Sam raised four children in Denver.
In the spring of 1942, her parents with their 6 children were evacuated from Gilroy, California to the Salinas Assembly Center, and on July 5, 1942, they were transported and arrived to their permanent living quarters at the Poston, Arizona internment camp block 213-7-BC. Her father had selected a Nebraska farmer, Sam Isamu Suekama to be her husband, and they were married at Poston on May 6, 1944, and immediately left for Colorado. Ruth and Sam raised four children in Denver.
Ruth was a 45 year breast cancer survivor and modeled for Breast Cancer Day of Caring, organized the yearly Cherry Blossom Festivals, was active with the Denver Buddhist Temple, JACL, Takayama Sister Cities, and the Denver Mayor's Commission on Aging. Her husband, Sam Suekama was a carpenter and worked with home remodeling.
Ruth Emiko Suekama, died on November 17, 2006 in Denver. She is preceded in death by brother, Shigeo Nakai (1964); sister, Sally Mikie Nakai (1989); and her parents, Itsugi (1971) and Fusao Nakai (1980).
She is survived by her husband, Sam Isamu; sons, James (Shoji) of San Francisco, Roger of Chicago, and Donald Suekama; daughter, Jane Kano; brothers, Albert Yoshi Nakai, Philip Itsuo Nakai, and Roy Takao Nakai of California; and sister, Barbara Kikue Matsuba.
Sources: Rocky Mountain News. November 22, 2006, http://www.denverpost.com/golf/ci_4727049
