Kazuko Ikeda Tagami's Obituary
Kazuko Ikeda Tagami, 96, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, June 20th. She was born in Los Angeles, California on February 19th, 1919. Kazu means “peace” in Japanese, but she’d have been the first to laugh and tell you that she wasn’t very peaceful, she was tough. She lived through the Great Depression and an internment camp in Poston, AZ during World War II.
She met and married Kenneth Matazo Tagami while working for the war effort in Minneapolis, MN in 1944.
Along with being a wife, mother and grandmother, Kazu worked as a Research Electronic Lab Technician for IVAC Corporation that developed the first digital thermometer.
She was incredibly talented in whatever she chose to pursue. She imparted on her children the courage to follow their dreams, that “ You can do anything you put your mind to.” Kazu embodied strength and generosity.
She is survived by her son Ken, Jr of San Diego, daughter, Barbara Tagami of Spirit Lake, IA and Chuck Tagami of San Diego and grandchildren Mija Valdez, Makoto Valdez, Seiichi Tagami and Maia Tagami.
Funeral arrangements will be held at 7:00 p.m. on June 30th, at Clairemont Mortuary, 4266 Mt. Abernathy Ave., San Diego, CA. She will be laid to rest at Yamato Cemetery in Salinas, CA.
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