Ruriko Westna Watanabe Yatabe (age 92) passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, Jan. 17. She was a resident of Gardena for over 65 years. Ruriko was secretary/treasurer of the Gardena Valley News for over 40 years before her retirement. During WWII she was relocated to an internment camp in Amache, Colorado. She is preceded in death by her husband, Youtaka, and beloved daughter, JoAnn Yatabe-Kuntz. She is survived by her son, Daniel (wife Bonnie) and son-in-law Tom Kuntz and five grandchildren: Lauren and Greg Kuntz and Paige, Bryan and Kyle Yatabe. A private memorial service will be held at Green Hills Mortuary in Rancho Palos Verdes on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014.
Ruriko Westna Watanabe Yatabe
