ELSIE LORENE YOKOYAMA, 90, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2017 in Corvallis, Oregon with her daughter Amy by her side. She was born in Clay County, Kansas on October 27, 1927; the second daughter of Albert F. Braun and Martha C. Rieker. She grew up on the family farm in Clay Center, Kansas. After graduating from high school, Elsie attended the National College for Christian Workers in Kansas City, KS. She studied to become a Methodist Deaconess and focused on early childhood education; graduating in 1953. While a student at National College, she met her future husband, Richard Katsuto Yokoyama, when she went to a dental clinic where he was a dental student. In 1955, Elsie traveled to Japan to marry Richard, who was stationed at Kisarazu Air Force Base, near Tokyo. In 1956, Elsie and Richard returned to Hawaii and settled in Kaneohe where they worked together to build Richard's dental practice while also raising their family. They retired together in 2000 after 44 years of a long and successful dental practice. Married for 58 years, Elsie and Richard were very active, lifelong members of Parker United Methodist Church in Kaneohe. Elsie was also very involved in the United Methodist Women's group. She frequently represented the Hawaii women's group at conferences on the mainland and enjoyed the opportunity to travel and meet new and old friends. She is survived by her children and their spouses Michael Yokoyama and Jaye Venuti, Lorene Yokoyama Becker and Larry Becker, Amy and Harold McDermott, and Ross and Susan Yokoyama; her sister Arleta Schurle; and 8 grandchildren along with a large extended family of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard as well as her sisters Irene and Alberta and her brother Harold, along with an infant son Keith. A celebration of her life will be held at Parker United Methodist Church, Kaneohe on Saturday, January 6, 2018. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM, with a celebration of life at 10:00 AM.
ELSIE LORENE YOKOYAMA, 90, of Kaneohe, Hawaii, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2017 in Corvallis, Oregon with her daughter Amy by her side. She was born in Clay County, Kansas on October 27, 1927; the second daughter of Albert F. Braun and Martha C. Rieker. She grew up on the family farm in Clay Center, Kansas. After graduating from high school, Elsie attended the National College for Christian Workers in Kansas City, KS. She studied to become a Methodist Deaconess and focused on early childhood education; graduating in 1953. While a student at National College, she met her future husband, Richard Katsuto Yokoyama, when she went to a dental clinic where he was a dental student. In 1955, Elsie traveled to Japan to marry Richard, who was stationed at Kisarazu Air Force Base, near Tokyo. In 1956, Elsie and Richard returned to Hawaii and settled in Kaneohe where they worked together to build Richard's dental practice while also raising their family. They retired together in 2000 after 44 years of a long and successful dental practice. Married for 58 years, Elsie and Richard were very active, lifelong members of Parker United Methodist Church in Kaneohe. Elsie was also very involved in the United Methodist Women's group. She frequently represented the Hawaii women's group at conferences on the mainland and enjoyed the opportunity to travel and meet new and old friends. She is survived by her children and their spouses Michael Yokoyama and Jaye Venuti, Lorene Yokoyama Becker and Larry Becker, Amy and Harold McDermott, and Ross and Susan Yokoyama; her sister Arleta Schurle; and 8 grandchildren along with a large extended family of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard as well as her sisters Irene and Alberta and her brother Harold, along with an infant son Keith. A celebration of her life will be held at Parker United Methodist Church, Kaneohe on Saturday, January 6, 2018. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM, with a celebration of life at 10:00 AM.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
