Kiyoko Nakamura

We are heartbroken to announce the earthly passing of Kiyoko Iwamoto Nakamura on May 19, 2015. Kiyo’s final days were spent in the loving and constant company and friendship of her sons Frank, Calvin and Stan; daughters-in-law Stephanie, Tammy and Kerri; grandchildren Allison, Sarah Anne, Jani, Grace and Michael; and her dear companion Yosh Nakayama.
Kiyo was born in Pescadero, California on August 29, 1925 as the third child of Masakichi and Sei Iwamoto. Kiyo always spoke fondly of her childhood on the family farm in Lompoc, California. Life on the farm was hard work, but Kiyo also learned to play the piano and enjoyed time at the ocean with her cousins. When Kiyo was 16 years old, her life changed dramatically and forever as she was separated from her father and evacuated, with her mother and siblings, to Utah as part of the mass relocation of Japanese Americans from the west coast. Kiyo never lived with her whole family again.
In 1947, Kiyo married Keiji (Kay) Nakamura. From then on, they did everything together and one didn’t say Kay without thinking of Kiyo. Shortly after their marriage, Kiyo and Kay moved to Kemmerer, Wyoming where they spent the next 40 years raising three boys. They were and remain Kiyo’s pride and joy – only to be surpassed in later years by the Nakamura Five, her perfect grandchildren. For decades, Kiyo played the organ every Sunday, and practiced every Saturday, at the local church. But Kiyo’s fulltime job was that of Mother. Kiyo took special pride in stating that she raised her sons. And the boys were so proud of their Mom for entering the workforce once they were raised. She retired after 20 years as the Assistant to the Superintendent of the Kemmerer school system. Kiyo and Kay moved from Kemmerer to Midvale, Utah in 1990 to be closer to their sons. Days were spent in the company of family and friends, bowling, and making trips to Wendover. After 51 years of togetherness and Kiyo’s tender care of him, Kay passed away in 1998.
In 1999, Kiyo reunited with a childhood friend from her days in Lompoc, California. We have been fortunate for the past 15 years to include Yosh Nakayama as a special and treasured member of the Nakamura family. Kiyo took care of Yosh and he took care of her right back!
Lifelong relationships were important to Kiyo. She was a special grandmother to Koji, Mei Mei and La La Nagata Brown.
In addition to those already mentioned, Kiyo is survived by her brother Takeo Iwamoto, and sister, Yae Tomomatsu. The passing a few years ago of her friend and younger sister, Teru Ogata, broke Kiyo’s heart. Kiyo is additionally survived by numerous appreciated in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends too numerous to count.
Instead of focusing on her passing, Kiyo wanted us to celebrate her life, a life that she truly loved. Please join us on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at the Cottonwood Country Club, 1780 East Lakewood Drive in Holladay, Utah from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. to celebrate Kiyo. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mountainviewmortuary.com