Aiko Morishita

In the twilight of her life, Aiko Morishita, age 93, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2018 in St. George, UT.
In 1924, she was born to the late Jinpei and Fusa (Nomura) Imaizumi in Bonsall, CA and was the youngest of 7 children. Aiko is survived by her daughters, June Morishita of Lake Balboa, CA and Rae (David) Dennis of St. George, UT and daughter-in-law, Tyrane D. (Randi), along with 7 grandchildren, Patrick (Emilie), Kelly, Trevor, Adrian (Amber) Dennis, Jeremy Dennis, Alisha (Nathan) Parker, and Cole (Codee). In addition, Aiko also had 12 great grandchildren, 1 great great granddaughter and many nephews and nieces.
She is now with her beloved son, Keith along with her parents, and siblings Merry (Bob)Kato, Isao (Betty) Imaizumi, Helen (Jack Harada), Grace (Noburo) Ishitani, Ruth (Sadao) Morishita, and Alan Imaizumi. She was the last family survivor or her generation.
She was followed in death the following day by her dear companion of 7 years, Melvin Hiatt. They spent many hours together laughing, joking and enjoying each other’s company up to a few days before their passing. Mel’s family fully embraced her and she became one of their own and Mel became one of ours. His daughter Linda was especially diligent in making sure that they were together bringing Mel to visit Aiko as often as possible.
She was raised in the Southern California area until 1943 when her family was interned during World War II at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming.  When released, the family moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho where she met, married and later divorced Kenzo Morishita.  Soon after they were married, they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to start and raise a family.  Aiko worked for various companies, retiring from the Medicare Division of Travelers Insurance Co. after 13 years of service.  She lived in Rose Park and Sandy, Utah until moving to St. George, Utah in 2008 to be closer to her daughter Rae.
Like her sisters, she was an accomplished cook and although her specialty was Japanese cooking she made a tasty spaghetti, a mean chili with hand rolled tortillas and baked bread, rolls and other pasteries. Besides knitting, crocheting, sewing and embroidery, she was well known for her 3-D origami animals, umbrellas, macramé patio chairs and crafting in general.
The Morishita family would like to express their thanks to the staff at The Meadows Assisted Living and Rocky Mountain Hospice for Aiko’s special care and our deepest appreciation to Mel Hiatt and his family for their continuing love and support.
Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. on January 13, 2018, at the Mountain View Memorial Estates, 3115 East 7800 South (Bengal Boulevard), Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121 and followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. She will be laid to rest immediately following the service.
Service Information
Viewing January 13, 2018 at 9:30 am - 10:45 am
Memorial Mountain View, 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121





Funeral Service
January 13, 2018 at 11:00 am
Memorial Mountain View, 3115 East 7800 South, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121