Yeiko Oki Homma

Yeiko Oki Homma passed away peacefully at 98 ¾ at home, surrounded by her loved ones, on April 20th, 2024. She was born Aug 16, 1925 to Tsuzuki and Yayo Saito Oki, in Ely Nevada. She was the third born of eight children. When she was 3½, her mother took the oldest four children by slow boat to Japan to be educated and learn Japanese culture and language. Yayo was pregnant with Keiko & delivered her while still in Japan. Yeiko & her siblings were moved around from Grandmas to Aunties. She witnessed the death of two siblings and both grandmas. She caught a childhood disease and almost died. When WWII broke out, she was told to stay in Japan until the war was over. She was forced to work as a receptionist at a military base. She was not treated well, because she was an American citizen. After the war ended, She came home to Ely. She went to the fourth grade with her sister Miyo, but she had a hard time learning English. Her mom sent her to LA to an English Immersion school. She received her 2nd High School diploma. She then went to Poly tech and received a fashion design AS Degree. She then came to SLC to help her sister Keiko, who was pregnant with her second child. They were raised apart but became best friends and inseparable ever since. Grandma Homma, Don's mother, handpicked Yeiko For him. She married Don Takao Homma on February 23rd 1957. She had three children right away. Michael Victor and Donna within 3 years. She loved her family and cooked many Delicious Japanese Foods over the years. She was a devout Christian and loved her JCC family dearly. She served in many callings. She especially loved cooking in the JCC kitchen. She was known as the Sushi Queen. She made Tsukemono every fall. She made the AN for Manju frequently & the best Nishime in town. No one's Aji/flavor was quite like hers; it was all done by taste. She was always busy cooking or baking with Auntie Keiko. They made millions of Norwegian lace and sugar cookies that they were famous for and made for every funeral and potluck. Don had a terrible motorcycle accident in 1972. Mom nursed him back to health, but he was never the same. She worked tirelessly by his side on his many business ventures. On December 14th 1997 she came home from church to find that he had passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning. Yeiko had many tragedies and setbacks in her life, but always stayed positive. She said always look forward, not back. She was a force for good. Her infectious smile, sense of humor, feistiness, and love of God and family will be sorely missed. Her happiest moments were going to the Utah Jazz games with Keiko. They were always on the jumbotron & got the loudest cheers. They were Utah Jazz celebrities. They had many articles written about them & even were on a Jazz commercial. She also loved the Golden Girls, especially Betty White. She loved to do word searches & was a perfectionist craftsman. She loved her family fiercely. She will be forever in our hearts, until we meet again. Thank you for being a friend. We love you!

She is survived by her three children, Michael Mitsuo Homma (Mary), Victor Masaru Homma (Debbie), & Donna Aiko Goeller. Sister, Miyoshi Marumoto, 7 grandchildren, Merlaine, Mark, Mikie, Jeremy, Megan, Vickie, & Justin. Thirteen great grandchildren, Valerie, Vivia, Freya, Lawrence, Ellie, Nathanael, Austin, Justin Jr., Amielee, Aiden, Kaylee, Kenji, Kinsey. Her loving pets Lucky & Toro.

She is preceded in death by her Parents, Tsuzuki Oki & Yayo Saito Oki. Her beloved husband, Don Takao Homma, Sisters, Kazuko & Keiko, Brothers, Iwao, Shoichi, Tamio, & Wataru. Grandchildren, Matthew, Myles, & Miko.

We would like to thank Shauntel at Angels Crossing for her tender care of our Mother in her last days.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 am, Saturday, May 11th, 2024, at Memorial Mountain View Mortuary, 3115 E Bengal Blvd. Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121. Viewings will be held Friday, May 10th, 2024, 6-8 pm, & also 10-11 am on Saturday, May 11th at the same location. Interment will be directly following services.

Please join us for a Luncheon at Walden Hills Ward, 5555 S 700 West from 1-3 pm. 

Live streaming will be available for 90 days.