Kimi Takechi
October 29, 1917 – October 19, 2019
Age 101. Passed away peacefully at Josie Harper Hospice House. Survived by children: Stephan Takechi, Jane (Mitchell) Kawasaki, Jeri (Tsutomu) Endo; grandchildren: Justin (Sachiko) Endo, Rachel Endo, Larry Takechi, Victoria (Bobby) Fischer, Kaz (Liz) Kawasaki; great-grandchildren, Andrew and Anna Endo; sisters, Aiko Kusuda, Yuri Sasaki; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Preceded in death by husband, Kazuo Takechi; son, Richard Takechi; daughter, Julie Takechi.
VISITATION: Saturday, November 16, 2019, 9am to 10:30am, followed by CELEBRATION OF LIFE at 10:30am at the West Chapel. Memorials to Hospice House or VNA Hospice. Family memorials c/o Jeri Endo, 5062 S. 108th St., #121, Omaha, NE 68137.
She was born on October 29, 1917 in Pocatello, Idaho, to Japanese immigrant parents, Kameji and Miyoshi Okamura, Kimi was the eldest daughter of 6 children: Paul, Aiko, Roy, Minnie and Yuri. Sister Mary died in infancy.
In 1936 Kimi married Kazuo Takechi of Kochi, Japan. The following year they moved to Omaha where Kaz accepted a sales job for Harry Watanabe, founder of Oriental Trading Company. In 1947 the couple opened Takechi’s Gift and Jewelry in downtown Omaha. They raised 5 children, Richard, Stephan, Jane, Julie and Geraldine (Jeri).
Over the years, Kimi and Kaz promoted strong cultural, business and educational exchanges between Japan and America; Kimi helped establish Omaha’s first sister city relationship with Shizuoka, Japan. She was a co-founder of Omaha’s chapter of Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement. In 2018 Kimi was named as one of the “trailblazing women of Omaha” in an exhibit held at the Durham Museum.
14 Comments
My sincerest sympathies and prayers to the Takechi family. Richard, Larry, and Victoria lived next door to my mother for years. I watched them grow up. I used to frequently go to the jewelry store to have my jewelry repaired. What a lovely woman who will be deeply missed. She was a little spirited woman. Prayers for the family. Sincerely The Packard and Merimee family
Thank you to your families for your kind thoughts. Mom lived a long and memorable life with many friends along the way.
Stephan, I have wonderful memories that reach back to 1958 when your parents helped me pick out an affordable diamond for me to place on the finger of the girl at Grace University i was to marry. It was always a joy to stop in at their shop, being greeted by the warm smile of your mother.. Relish the memories as a family.
Our sympathies. The loss of a loved one is never easy, but we hope her memory will always be with you.
Larry and Jean, thank you both so much for reaching out with warm food and hearts!
I was looking for another person’s memorial and saw Mrs. Takechi’s memorial. I would like to send my condolences to her entire family especially Victoria who I have known since she was singing in Cantori. We were working on a Japanese song and the conductor Sharon Smith had Mimi Takechi come and coach the children on Japanese pronouciation. She was a very sweet lady and very important in the Omaha community.
Dear family: please accept our sincerest sympathies on the loss of your Kimi.
I have posted a picture of she and Steve at the May 2017 Ikebana show in Omaha on
my Facebook page: marshacurranholden.
Jane and family,
So sorry for your loss. My aunt Marjorie lived close by and she always had such kind words for your Mom.I lost Marj a few years ago.Times like this are difficult, but the Lord will see you through.”The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Ps 34:18
Thank you, Percee Fuglei Easdale, for your condolences presenting our Lord’s grace and mercy to the brokenhearted… to those who know him. Kimi was a dear aunt. edie ikeda, Northridge, ca 91343
May God’s love help you through this time of sorrow.
Thanks for making this part of the world a better place Mrs. Takechi. Condolences to the family.
My wife Cheryl cared for Kimi for 18 months in 2009 and 2010.What a wonderful relationship they had together. We still enjoy the flowers she gave us that bloom each year. Please know that Cheryl loved you. Respectfully-Gregg Kupfer
dear Steve I am sorry to hear about your mother MY deepest sympathy to you and family
So many many fond memories of your family, your parents, the great jewelry shop and wonderful service they provided, JACL events….and now my Mother Linda Lucas Hudnall is gone too just after her 90th birthday in June 2020. An era of wonderful memories that will never be forgotten.
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