Tokie Kanda

Tokie (Yamada) Kanda, 90, of Rapid City, South Dakota, formerly of Lexington, passed away Sunday, November 7, 2010, at Fountain Springs Health Care Center in Rapid City. Tokie was born on December 10, 1919, in Los Angeles, California to John Kametaro Yamada and Chiyo Endo Yamada. She was the youngest of three children. She joined a brother, Katsumi and a sister, Sumiye. She grew up in a happy home with parents who had migrated to the United States from Japan. She learned to fluently speak Japanese and English. Tokie attended 36th Street Grade School, Foshary Jr. High School, and Manual Arts High School. She also attended Los Angeles City College. She was employed by the Los Angeles Police Department. Tokie eventually met Sam Kanda and they were united in marriage on December 5, 1943, in Denver, Colorado. They soon moved to Nebraska. Tokie spent many years helping on the Kanda family farm. Three children were blessed to this union; Jim, Jean, and Susan. Tokie was employed at the Dawson County Extension Service for 30 years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Mercury Club, Methodist Women’s Circle, Cosmo Club, taught Sunday School, and was a Girl Scout and 4-H leader. In the early 1980’s, following their move to East Highway 30, Tokie and Sam opened Sunny Acres Health Foods. They moved to Rapid City, South Dakota in the summer of 2006, due to declining health, to be near their daughter. Survivors include: One son: Jim (Gloria) Kanda of Los Angeles, California Two daughters: Jean (Kim) Andrews of Rapid City, South Dakota Susan (Jay) Martin of Highlands Ranch, Colorado Three brothers-in-law: Ted Kanda of Lexington, Nebraska Masami (Sumiko) Kanda of Denver, Colorado George (Faye) Kanda of Brighton, Colorado Nine grandchildren: Shannon and Ryane Kanda, Justin, Lindsey, and Jared Andrews, Tokie Morgan, and Jayson, Andrew, and Sean Martin. Two great-granddaughters: Alexis Kanda and Peyton Kanda. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Tokie was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Katsumi; sister, Sumiye, and Sam, her husband of 63 years. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, November 13, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Lexington, Nebraska with Reverends Tess Hufford and John Craig officiating. Burial will be held prior to the Memorial Service at 9:30 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington, Nebraska. Visitation will be Friday, November 12, 2010, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church in Lexington, Nebraska; Fountain Springs Healthcare, 2000 Wesleyan Blvd., Rapid City, SD 57702 or SD Alzheimer’s Association, 1000 NW Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be in charge of arrangements. Please send online condolences to the family via: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.