HARUKO OKAZAKI ONISHI
May 19, 1937 — January 7, 2021
Haruko (Haru) was born in Lodi to Teruichi and Teruko Iwamiya on May 19, 1937 and passed peacefully on January 7th. She was the 6th of 7 children and after returning from wartime internment in Rohwer Ark, she continued attending local schools, enjoying a simple yet happy childhood in the Lodi area and graduated from Lodi High School.
In 1958, Haru married Henry Okazaki. She tirelessly devoted herself to supporting family, friends and church, ever eager to volunteer or drive the carpool. Whenever asked, she would modestly call herself a housewife, but this failed to describe the care she gave to the family businesses, the never-ending activities of her children and the lifelong care of her mother-in-law Yoshi. Scrapbooking and crafts were favorite leisure activities and if she didn’t understand something, she dove in and learned it. While Mom was terribly prone to seasickness, she didn’t like seeing Dad having to fish alone, so she often gathered up Angel and learned to fish. Trout and Stripers were her specialty, and more than once she ended the year with family honors for the biggest fish. Watching Corey play football terrified her until she learned that not all of the players were out just to maim him. As she gained an understanding of the more subtle nuances, she became an avid fan, not only of Corey and Kelly’s sporting endeavors, but also of the 49ers and Kings.
Through Dad’s illness and passing in 1986, Mom summoned a strength and determination previously unseen. She took on stewardship of the family businesses, continued leadership positions in the Buddhist Women’s Association, continued to care for her mother in law, loved her dog Angel and made sure that she never missed a minute of Emily, Erica, or Colton’s activities.
In 1996 Haruko married Sus (Bob) Onishi and together the two of them enjoyed retirement, traveling the US and the World. Family vacations to Kauaii with Kelly and Corey’s families were favorites, but they also enjoyed many trips with friends from Asia to Alaska and many points across the country.
Beneath Mom’s calm exterior beat the heart of a competitor, and she loved to win. Card games, checkers, sports of any kind, you name it and she was in. For more than 50 years, Haruko was a respected bowler who competed in weekly leagues, as well as local, state and national tournaments. She won numerous Stockton City Tournament Titles, Nisei Bowling Association Tournament Events and recorded podium finishes in JANBA and USBC tournaments. Because she always put family first, Haruko likely never fully developed her game but she loved to bowl against the best, men or women, it didn’t matter. Rolling a perfect 300 game at the age of 66 and years ago defeating Hall of Fame Bowler Betty Morris in a local exhibition were definitely part of her personal highlight reel.
One can only imagine the pride of immigrant parents in seeing all of their children enjoy successes in their lives that were beyond their wildest imagination. While portions of her life were marred by wartime injustice, the hardships that came with rural life on a working ranch, and heartbreak from the loss of loved ones, with great dignity and grace she lived a life that embodied the American Dream. In the end while Alzheimer’s may have ravaged her recent memory, she never lost her love of family, friends and warm sense of humor.
Haruko was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Henry Okazaki; son in-law, Christopher Yamane; brother, Shig Iwamiya; sister, Wendy Nagao (Hank); her late husband, Sus Onishi; mother-in law, Yoshi Okazaki; her late sisters-in-law and spouses, Miyo Matsuno (Jim), Helen Nishizaki (Eugene), Jane Watanabe (Kazuto) and Yuri Iwasa (Sus). She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Yamane; son, Corey Okazaki (Lisa); grandchildren, Emily, Erica and Colton; sister, Cindy Nishimoto (late husband Julius); brothers, George (Christine), Tom (Gracie), Dickie (late wife Nadine); sisters-in-law, Naomi Iwamiya, Grace Watanabe (Sach); and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the heroes who gave tireless and compassionate care to Mom at Lodi Memorial and Brookdale Assisted Living during these trying times. In lieu of Koden or flowers, the family would like you to consider a memorial donation in Haruko’s name to the Buddhist Church of Lodi or The Lodi Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Please sign the guest book at lodinews.com/guestbook.