Kimura, Evelyn

Evelyn Kimura passed away peacefully Sunday, April 29, 2012, surrounded by her family, after a courageous fight with cancer. Private family memorial service will be held May 26, 2012, at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Inurnment will be in Hawaii, where her parents are interred. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. M. Yama and mother, K. Yama.

She leaves behind her husband, Dr. Charles Kimura; and children, Dr. Stephen Kimura (Amy) Pensacola, Fla., Dr. Lyla Schweiger (Dr. Gary) Cedar Rapids, Dr. Liane Donovan (Greg) Lincoln, Neb., and Larissa Noelker (Joel) Overland Park, Kan.

Her surviving brothers are Dr. George Yama, Ron Yama and Roy Yama. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, Kyle, Alyssa, Anna, Ian, Charlie, Sara, Reid, Kayla, Mia and Tyler; as well as many dear friends.

Evelyn was born June 20. She grew up in Hawaii spending summers on Kauai with her grandmother. Her childhood in Hawaii was interrupted by World War II when she and her family were sent to internment camps in Arkansas and Texas.

Evelyn graduated from high school at 15 years of age. She received her undergraduate degree at the University of Hawaii and her Master's degree at Columbia University in New York. There she worked closely with her adviser, the famed anthropologist, Margaret Mead. She was working toward her doctorate in Social Psychology at Tulane University in New Orleans, when she gave up her academic career to raise a family and assist her husband in establishing his medical practice.

In 1964, she moved to Kansas City with her husband and young children. She was active with her children's education, served as president of the Shawnee Mission PTA, and also taught part time with intellectually gifted children. In 1985, she moved with her family to Cedar Rapids.

She was an accomplished cook and prepared wonderful Japanese, Italian and French meals for her family. She loved to travel and took trips with her family throughout the United States and visited Canada, Asia, Australia and Europe.

Evelyn will be deeply missed by her family. She will be remembered as a loving and supportive wife, mother and grandmother. She was a friend to all and treated everyone she met with love and kindness. She had remarkable grace and selflessness, always putting the needs of others before her own.

Please leave a message or tribute to Evelyn's family on the Web page, under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette May 1, 2012.