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| Atsuko Obata |
Atsuko Ikeda (Poston 15-6-B) was
born on November 21, 1921, in Gardena, California to Japanese immigrants
parents, Yeizo and Satsu (Fujisaki) Ikeda. Yeizo had
immigrated to the U.S. in 1905 and Satsu immigrated in 1920. Atsuko lived most of
her early years in Salinas. She went to Japan
for 4 years of school, and returned to the U.S. from Higashikokubu-mura, Kagoshima-ken,
Japan on June 28, 1941 at the age of 19 years.
Atsuko had attended two years of college, when the bombing of Pearl Harbor
occurred. The Ikeda family members:
Yeizo, Satsu, Atsuko, Sam and Don were forcibly evacuated to the Salinas
Assembly Center. After a few months,
they were transported to the Poston, Arizona concentration camp, and arrived on
June 29, 1942. They were assigned to live at Poston 15-6-B in
camp 1.
On September 19, 1945, Atsuko and Don were the first to leave the Poston
concentration camp. They returned to
Salinas. The rest of the family returned to Salinas on October 11, 1945.
In 1956, Atsuko moved to Gilroy and became very active in the local
community. In addition to being a talented professional seamstress, she taught
Japanese to neighborhood children, took Ball Room Dancing, created stunning
Ikebana flower arrangements, studied Japanese calligraphy and made beautiful
Japanese dolls.
Atsuko was active in many local
organizations including Gilroy JACL as their first female president, G.A.L.S, W.I.T
and the volunteer program at St. Louise Hospital.
Atsuko (Ikeda) Obata, resident of Gilroy, died on August 21, 2012 at the
age of 91 years. She was preceded in death by her father, Yeizo Ikeda (1978);
mother, Satsu Ikeda (1983); and brothers, Hiroshi, and Kunio Ikeda (2011)*(see story below).
She is survived by husband, Jack Obata; son, Alan Obata (Kevin Heath);
daughter Teri Hinmon (Tom); grandchildren Lauren (Matt) Mantani, Jackie
Iwanaga and Damon Iwanaga; brothers, Sam
Isamu, and Don Suyehiko Ikeda.
Source: http://www.habingfamilyfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1565726&fh_id=10480
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* IKEDA, KUNIO (1927-2011)
Kunio Ikeda was born on July 29, 1927 in Gardena, California to Japanese immigrants parents, Yeizo and Satsu (Fujisaki) Ikeda. In 1936, Kunio moved to Kagoshima-ken, Japan with his family. Due to World War II, the Ikeda family was separated. Kunio graduated from Kajiki High School in Japan, and unable to rejoin his family until 1951 at the age of 24. Kunio moved to Salinas and helped run the family business, Ikeda Farms.
Kunio Ikeda was born on July 29, 1927 in Gardena, California to Japanese immigrants parents, Yeizo and Satsu (Fujisaki) Ikeda. In 1936, Kunio moved to Kagoshima-ken, Japan with his family. Due to World War II, the Ikeda family was separated. Kunio graduated from Kajiki High School in Japan, and unable to rejoin his family until 1951 at the age of 24. Kunio moved to Salinas and helped run the family business, Ikeda Farms.
Following the death of his parents, Yeizo and Satsu, Kunio continued
farming with his brothers, Isamu (Sam) and Don. In addition to farming, Kunio
was an avid fan of sumo and a member of the Buddhist Temple of Salinas,
Kagoshima Kenjinkai, and the Salinas ValleyJapanese American Citizen League
(JACL). In recent years he has enjoyed spending time with his close friend,
Kazuko Piacentino. He was active with
the farm until his death.
Kunio Ikeda, resident of Salinas, died on May 27, 2011, at age 83 years. He was preceded in death of his father, Yeizo Ikeda (1978); mother, Satsu Ikeda (1983); and brother, Hiroshi.
Kunio Ikeda, resident of Salinas, died on May 27, 2011, at age 83 years. He was preceded in death of his father, Yeizo Ikeda (1978); mother, Satsu Ikeda (1983); and brother, Hiroshi.
Kunio is survived by a sister, Atsuko (Jack) Obata of Gilroy; and brothers, Sam
and Don of Salinas.
Source: Published in The Monterey
Herald from June 1 to June 23, 2011
