Miki Kobayashi

"Rejoice evermore. In everything give thanks for this is the will of God ... concerning you." And rejoice we will as we remember our mother, Miki Kobayashi. Joy in the memories of waterskiing at Palisades with nigiri and shoyu chicken for picnic lunch; of huckleberry picking for pie and jam; toasting cuttlefish or marshmallows over the stove; family ski trips; dinners of roast beef and homegrown potatoes, or rice, stir-fry, and garden fresh vegetables. We are thankful for her nurturing nature and that we were recipients of her unconditional love. And though it is difficult to say goodbye, we are grateful for her faith, grateful that she was not afraid of death, grateful that she embraced God's will for her. She passed away February 19, 2008.

Miki was born March 14, 1923, to Sen and Kino Nakamura Sakaguchi. She grew up in Rexburg, Idaho, and attended Madison High School until 1940, when her family moved to Idaho Falls. She graduated from Ammon High School in 1941.

In 1942, she and George Kobayashi began a 63-year marriage sharing adversity and accomplishments. For 42 years, Mom worked by Dad's side on the farm. She taught us an appreciation for hard work and the resulting rewards -- if you rolled a row of bales, you got a piece of candy! She inspired us with her sense of adventure -- Yellowstone Park and the bear in the tent, learning to ski at 42, traveling to Alaska, England and Japan. She showed us how to experience the joys of life -- jumping on a trampoline at age 70, snorkeling in the Caribbean at age 77, and lovingly embracing each new great-grandchild.

In her later years, Mom enjoyed gardening, sewing, crafts, crocheting, quilting, Bible Study Fellowship, Friendship Bible Study, traveling, journaling, and time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends. In March of 2005, Dad passed away and Mom continued to live independently in her home, taking initiative to remodel the kitchen and redecorate the living room.

Miki was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and the Ethel Clark Circle and served faithfully and with tender compassion. These affiliations led to warm and treasured friendships.

Survivors include a son, Kay (Joan) Kobayashi of Leawood, Kansas; two daughters, Georgia (Jerry) James of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Marianne (Stephen) Henderson of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren, Robyn, Daniel, Kristin, Joe, Todd, Derek, Hye-Jin, Roland, Kim, Isaac, Megan and Sheena; great-grandchildren, Joey, Colin, Adelaide and Kiana; a brother, Sam Sakaguchi of Idaho Falls; and two sisters-in-law, Kiyo Sakaguchi of Harrisville, Utah, and Kuniko Kobayashi of Idaho Falls.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home and for one hour Saturday before services at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery in Idaho Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.buckmillerhann.com.

Family Tribute