Kimiyo Furukawa

FURUKAWA KIMIYO (KIM) FURUKAWA, born in Steveston, BC on November 6, 1921, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2014 in Lethbridge at the age of 92 years. She leaves to mourn her children: Toshi (Fred) Mitchell and their children Jeff (Angela) and Shawna (Chris) Hallinan; Jim (Phyllis) and their children Nina (Ryan) Evans, Matt (Catherine), Lisa (Adrian) Boere, and Jesse (Kelsey); Michael (Annie) and their children John (Catherine) Casagranda, Christopher and James. She is also survived by Richard's children: Troy (Tara), Tara (Hank) Stoffer, and Travis (Shawnah Collier) and their mother, Joan. Kim was predeceased by her daughter Kinue (1952), husband Suey (1974) and son Richard (1998) as well as her brothers Tom and Harry Kuramoto and her sister Kay Tamura. She will be missed by her sister Kyoko Niwatsukino and her brother Kunji Kuramoto. Kim leaves behind 12 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Kim and her family were interned to the Iron Springs area in 1942 to work in the sugar beets. She married Suey in 1943 and together they owned and operated Suey's Store in Iron Springs. Kim ran the local grocery store for 44 years and was a valued member of the community. She was an active member of the Picture Butte Buddhist Church and, after retiring in 1990 and moving into Lethbridge, enjoyed bowling, cruising, travelling to Japan and Europe, and spending time with the BC relatives and her own family. She loved a good game of cards and joining her friends on trips to casinos. She was renowned for her cooking and her pies and enjoyed entertaining many friends and family over the years. Kim worked hard all her life. She overcame her losses and tragedies in life with much courage and without bitterness. She was an amazing mother and grandma, and was known for her great sense of humor and selfless generosity to all. In her final years she suffered with Alzheimer's but to the end maintained her happy disposition and gentle ways. She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed. A Funeral Service with family and close friends will take place on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at CHRISTENSEN SALMON GENERATIONS FUNERAL HOME, 703-13 Street North, Lethbridge, with Rev. Izumi officiating, followed by a casual reception in the lower level of the funeral home. Cremation and a private family inurnment will happen at a later date. The family respectfully request that NO KODEN be offered and flowers are gratefully declined. For those that desire, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society in Kim's memory. The family extends their sincere appreciation to the staff of Cottage 7 at Park Meadows Good Samaritans for their wonderful and genuine care of Mom in her final years.

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