Ella Eiko Kitagawa Kokubun Obituary (2017)

Ella Eiko Kitagawa Kokubun passed away in Reno, Nevada on January 30, 2017, at the age of 84. She was born on May 5, 1932, in the town of Wahiawa, Hawaii, the 4th of 5 children born to Yasuo & Mitsuko Kitagawa. Ella worked in Honolulu in commercial banking for a number of years, and most recently as a paralegal before she retired. She and Richard moved to Reno in late 2000. Ella is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Richard, whom she met when they were freshmen at Mid-Pacific Institute in Manoa, HI. They were senior prom king & queen and married 10 years after they met. She is also survived by two sisters, Jane Kitagawa Nakamura and Grace Kitagawa Sunahara. Ella was followed in death by her brother Erle Yasuo Kitagawa, who passed away a day later. She is also survived by daughters Corinne Kokubun Nakamura of San Diego, CA, and Pamela Kokubun Stepien (husband Robert) of Reno, NV, son Bruce Hideo Kokubun of Canton, MI; six grandchildren—Stephen, Christopher, Tamara, Eric, Teegan & Daniel; six great-grandchldren, two step-greatgrandchildren and numerous nieces & nephews. Ella will be remembered as a generous, giving person who had a passion for gardening; she surrounded herself with beautiful greenery, flowers, fruit & vegetables that she liked to share. She loved her Fuji Apple tree, especially in the spring when it was in full blossom. She would sit under the tree for hours enjoying the cool breeze and looking at the beautiful apple blossoms. She enjoyed spending time at her home-away-from-home, the Nugget Casino. Her family will reminisce about her “ono” (delicious) home-cooked meals and Hawaiian style specialties, and her mind that stayed sharp and bright up until the end. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. A private family service will be held and her ashes will later be scattered in Hawaii.