Akiko Ito Tokita

Our Obaasan left us peacefully on April 20, 2024, surrounded by family.

Aki was born September 18,1927, to immigrant parents, Nizaemon and Hana Ito, in Ogden, Utah. She grew up with her eight siblings in Plain City, UT, and attended school in Ogden.

Aki met George Tokita through a mutual friend and were married on June 8, 1948. George and Aki, along with George's parents, Seijiro and Noi Tokita, purchased a farm in Ucon, ID, where they farmed for several years. During those years in Ucon, Linda and Vicki were born.

In 1957, they moved to Idaho Falls, ID, where George worked for Roger's Brothers Seed and they purchased and managed the E Street Apartments.

Because of her love of sewing, Aki worked at a fabric store and sewed drapes. Her civic interests included Ethel Clark Circle group at Trinity Methodist Church; she was a member of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) where she held offices as treasurer and newsletter editor.

They moved to Burley, ID, in 1974 when George became a purchasing agent for Ore-Ida Foods. Aki opened and operated a fabric store, Aki's Designer Fabrics. She sewed clothing for her daughters, granddaughters, and great grandchildren. She made quilts as gifts for family and friends. Aki also enjoyed cooking and creating crafts with her sister, Grace.

George and Aki enjoyed camping, fishing, and regular gambling trips to Jackpot and Vegas.  When casinos still used coin machines Aki designed and sewed purses with reinforced straps and coin pouches to bear the weight of her winnings.

In 1992 they both retired, purchased a motor home, and began wintering in Arizona. George died in 1995 but Aki continued to spend winters in Yuma, AZ, for several years. She then moved to Boise, ID, in 2003.

She was always very active, exercising regularly and golfing until she was 90. She loved to travel with family and friends. For example, Aki organized and enjoyed two trips to Japan with her daughters and granddaughters. She loved her family and looked forward to their time together.  She was gracious and kind, but independent and sometimes stubborn. Her loving spirit is what will be remembered by everyone, especially grandkids and great grandkids. We will all miss our "Obaasan".

Aki is survived by daughters, Linda (Mike) Kuwana, Vicki (Bill Goodnight) Tokita; granddaughters, Heather (JR Burbidge) Kuwana, Jaki (John Nemeth) Taylor; great grandchildren, Ava Nemeth, Otis Nemeth, and Ricki Lin Kuwana.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nizaemon and Hana Ito; siblings, Joseph (Irene) Ito, Grace (Shiro) Matsushita (Jerry) Nakasone, Miyeko (James) Sumita, Natsuko (Frank) Yamashita, Toyoko (Hank) Tsuchida, Frank (Elaine) Ito, Dean (Kazuko) Ito, and Sam (Helen) Ito.

The family would like to thank Dr.Rosalia Richardson, Victoria Gonzales, Christina Gordon, Aly Gunner, and the St. Luke's Hospice team for their loving care and support.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 237 North Water Avenue. The family will visit with friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior. Inurnment will be in Fielding Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Trinity United Methodist Church, 237 North Water Avenue, Idaho Falls, ID  83402; St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN  38105; or a charity of your choice.