Mildred Yamada Obituary

Yamada, Mildred Akemi

Mildred Akemi Yamada (nee Kawanaga) gently passed away on December 30, 2020. Millie as she was known by her family and friends was born in a wartime relocation center outside of Rohwer, AR on April 9, 1943. She was the youngest of seven sisters and one brother, who along with their spouses were not only siblings, but also lifelong friends. Some of her most cherished memories took place at the large family reunions, which were invariably memorialized by pictures that were taken of the Kawanaga family lined up from oldest to youngest. Her personality was shaped by her birth order as she was tenacious and direct but also full of spirit and incredibly loyal. She knew what she knew and loved who she loved. After the war, he family moved to Chicago where Millie attended Nicholas Senn High School (Class of 1961), University of Illinois, Art Institute of Chicago, and Roosevelt University (1966), earning a bachelors degree in art. In her studies, she developed incredible artistic abilities in drawing, painting, and sculpture and used these talents ultimately to teach art to elementary school students. Millie married the love of her life, Dr. Richard Yamada, on August 13, 1966. Together, over 54 years, they raised three children, skied in Colorado, and travelled the world to fish countless streams, lakes, and salt water flats. Not even death could keep them apart as she followed him only 71 days after his passing. She also enjoyed bowling with her girlfriends, dancing usually barefoot with her sisters, making Miyuki silk flowers, and eating really, really spicy food. Mildred was preceded in death by Richard, her parents Alice and Roy Kawanaga, sisters Betty Fukuda, Shirley Terada, Patricia Abe, Gladys Fujiwara, and brother Dr. Henry Kawanaga. She is survived by children Keith (Wendy) Yamada, Christina Yamada, and Brian (Alicia) Yamada; grandchildren Haley and Trevor Yamada, Adriana and Simone De La Torre, and Jaxon and Dylan Yamada, respectively; sisters Jane Kurakazu and Josephine Takaki as well as many nephews and nieces. Due to complications stemming from the worldwide pandemic, a small private service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (http://act.alz.org/goto/millie). To send condolences to the family, please visit her tribute wall at Donnellan (www.donnellanfuneral.com).

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