Okiko (Oki) Onishi Matsushima

In 1942, while she was in high school, her family was sent to a relocation camp in Poston, Arizona (and later in Topaz, Utah). While in camp, she finished high school and later requested and received a diploma from Los Gatos High School.

After being released from camp, Oki lived in Malta, Montana, then Ogden, Utah. It was while she was in Ogden that she attended Weber College and received her certificate of completion in business.

In 1947 Oki moved back to California and worked at the Alum Rock Tuberculosis Sanitorium. She next moved to Los Angeles and worked as a medical stenographer at LA County General Hospital. While living in Los Angeles, she met Takashi (Tick) Matsushima. They married in San Jose on December 15, 1951. She joined Tick on the Matsushima family farm in Platteville, Colorado, where they raised three children (two perfect and one not so much), lots of vegetables, and many pets. During many of the summers, the family expanded to include a handful (and we mean HANDFUL!) of happy and loving nieces and nephews.

In addition to working on the farm, Oki later began working at the neighboring Kiyota Greenhouses where she enjoyed close friendships with her coworkers, who became part of her family. After Tick’s death in 1995, she continued living on the family farm and working at the greenhouse. She was forever grateful for having her nephews Ronnie and Larry Matsushima always helping her with whatever she needed. She passed in her home on September 29, 2021, surrounded by family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tokuhei and Matsume Onishi; infant son; husband, Tick; and siblings Toshi Tanaka, Mary (Geary) Watanabe, Mas (Judy) Onishi, Mitsie (Tsugi) Takemoto, Billy Onishi, Tok (Haru) Onishi, and Tom Onishi.

She is survived by her sisters, Peggy Yamada and Phyllis (Stan) Yasuda, and sister in law Martha Onishi; son Randy, daughters Barb (David) Tashiro and Robin (Brian) Trently; two grandsons, four great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, December 17, 2021 at 10:00am at the Fort Lupton Buddhist Temple, followed by a Graveside Inurnment at Mizpah Cemetery in Platteville, CO at 12:00pm. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com for the Matsushima family.