Aiko Uchida

Aiko Okawa Uchida, 91, passed away Monday, April 1, 2019, at Edgewood Assisted Living in Fruitland, Idaho. Aiko was born February 25, 1928, in Portland, Oregon, the daughter of Tetsuji and Misu Okawa. Aiko’s father, Tetsuji, and mother, Misu Takami were from Kuramoto ken in Japan. She was the youngest of 4 children: oldest brother Toichi and sisters Shimi and Tokie. She attended Whitaker Grade School in Portland, Oregon and graduated from eighth grade. Aiko started her freshman year at the Minidoka Internment Camp and eventually received her high school diploma from Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon. Also attended St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Tacoma, Washington, and graduated in 3 years with a registered nurse’s degree. She continued to work at that hospital for 4 years. In 1957, Aiko moved to Ontario, Oregon and began working at Holy Rosary Hospital. She later went on and became the Relief Nurse at Ore-Ida Foods and retired in 1974. Aiko married Sho Uchida on February 2, 1960, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They traveled, played Shang­hai, and golfed with their friends until Sho’s death in 2004. Aiko was a member of the Ontario Women’s Golf Association, Japanese American Citizens League, and Ontario Community Church. Aiko was predeceased by her husband, her parents, brother, and sisters. She is survived by sister-in-law Toshiko Uchida and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend their gratitude and respect to Dr. Isaac Elam, his nurse Kathy, Pro-Care Hospice, and especially the staff at Edgewood Assisted Living facility. Aiko was a resident at Edgewood for 4 years and loved each one of the people at the facility. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Ontario Community Church in Ontario, Oregon. A private family burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements and Services by Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario.