Ruth Morishita

Ruth Kimi Morishita passed away August 28, 2011 at the Parkwood Meadows Assisted Living Community. She was born April 3, 1921 in Garden Grove, CA to Jinpei and Fusa Imaizumi. She was one of seven siblings and the daughter of a truck farmer. She grew up in Palm City, CA and graduated from Sweetwater Union High School. In 1942 , after Pearl Harbor, she and all persons of Japanese ancestry living on the west coast of the United States were ordered by the U.S. government to evacuate their homes and properties. She and most of her family were staged at the Santa Anita Race Track until orders to relocate to the Heart Mountain Relocation Center, Cody, WY were issued. To prepare for their relocation, each evacuee was allowed one suitcase to contain their belongings. Despite the harsh conditions of Center life, her major lesson and admonition to her children were to try and never allow this experience to be repeated upon any American in the future. During this period, she met Sadao (Sud) Morishita, who was a native of the Idaho Falls area. Upon her release from Heart Mountain, she married Sud on April 30, 1944 and together they farmed in the Osgood area for many years. She was active in numerous organizations such as the PTA and the Cub Scouts where she served several years as Den Mother to Den 3, Pack 221 Osgood. She was also a lifetime member of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and served as JACL Auxiliary President and held several other offices in the local chapter. Her loyalty to her employer resulted in being a JC Penney associate for 23 years and ended when she retired in 1989. This gave way to being able to devote more time to her deep love for her family, particularly her grandchildren, as well as her passion for gardening. She also commingled these loves with other activities including crocheting, canning, reading and traveling. Her travels took her to Japan, Hawaii, New York City, Boston, and Washington, DC, among other places. Most of her travels occurred with Sud until his death in 2002. One of her most recent delights was being an active member of the Happy Stitchers quilting group and the friendships she made with other members. She is survived by her sons Ron (Sharon) of Racine, WI, Brian (Christine), Idaho Falls, Tim (Connie), Idaho Falls, and Don (Betsy), Twin Falls, seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and sisters Helen, Grace and Aiko. Preceding her in death were her husband Sud, sister Merry, and brothers Allen and Tom. A family and friends visitation is planned at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls on Friday, September 2, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, September 3, at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 273 North Water, Idaho Falls, 11:00 a.m. and visitation with the family one hour prior to the funeral.

Funeral Services -- Saturday

Saturday September 3, 2011 , 11:00 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist

A family and friends visitation is planned at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls on Friday, September 2, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. the family will also visit at the church for one hour prior to the funeral.