Fumie Ota Kamigaki

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OGDEN - Fumie Kamigaki, 96, died Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at her home surrounded by her loving family, her most precious possession.

Fumie was born March 10, 1915 in Uintah, Utah to Niso and Shizuyo Ota Sora. She was the oldest of four children, sisters, Sakaye and Haroku and a brother Shinobu. Fumie lived in Uintah until she was 3 years old and then moved to Japan with her parents. She was raised and educated near Hiroshima, Japan. Her father returned to the United States to work for the Union Pacific railroad sending money each month to support his family.

In 1934, a young friend and co-worker of her father, Wataru Kamigaki began writing letters to Fumie. They decided to marry and she traveled from Japan by steamship arriving in San Francisco Bay on April 10, 1934. Wataru and Fumie made their home in Wyoming where he worked as a section foreman for the Union Pacific Railroad. They later moved to the Ogden area where they farmed, and were married for 58 years. Fumie also worked for the Utah Hand Laundry.

She was an excellent seamstress, loved to crochet and do handwork and won many blue ribbons in the Weber County Fair for her handiwork.

She was a lifelong member of the Buddhist Church and attended services in Ogden.

Fumie''s life centered on her family. She was happiest when they were with her and she loved to do things for them. She was always the last to sit down for dinner and the first to offer to help them. Her influence in our lives and the heritage of love, devotion and dedication to doing the right things she taught us will live in our hearts forever.

She is survived by four children: Roy (Margaret) Kamigaki of Longmont, CO; Jean (Paul) Sumida and Ken (Lou Ann) Kamigaki of Ogden; and Bonnie (Richard) Hamp of Salt Lake City; 12 grandchildren: Martin (Cindy) Kamigaki, BJ (Vickie) Kamigaki, Michael (Stacy) Kamigaki of Longmont, CO; Roy David (Hong Ying) Kamigaki of Ogalla, NE; Kenneth (Lynnette) Kamigaki, Kelli Kamigaki, and Jon Kamigaki of Ogden, UT, Christine Gonzalez and Damon Gonzalez of Phoenix, AZ, Dezmond Hamp of Salt Lake City, UT; Debbie Ann (Gary) Rex of Springville, UT; and Michelle Sumida of Portland, OR; 18 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her husband Wataru, a daughter Eiko Mae, her parents, a brother and one sister.

The family would like to thank the caregivers from IHC Hospice, especially Julie Lee, and Bobbi Hyer for their kindness and loving care.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Buddhist Church of Ogden, 155 North Street with the Reverend Jerry Hirano officiating.

Family will meet with friends at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday at the Buddhist Church one-half hour prior to services.

Interment, Ogden City Cemetery.