Helen Kikuko Takashima

Helen Kikuko Takashima

Helen Kikuko “Kiko” Takashima (Yonekura), a 102-year-old Nisei, passed away on April 16, 2021 in Chula Vista.

She was the oldest daughter of Hashio and Ryu Yonekura, born in Hollywood, Calif. on November 3, 1918 and had four siblings: Yoshiko, Tom, Aki, and Glenn. The family moved to Chula Vista where she married Richard Tatsuo Takashima on January 19, 1941 and first son, Jerry, was born in 1941. From 1941 to 1945, Helen and family were interned in Poston Camp #3, where second son, Ronald, was born in 1945. After returning to Chula Vista at the end of WWII, Richard started a family farm and daughter, Jeannie, was born in 1946 and son, David, in 1948.

Richard and Helen worked to establish one of the largest family farms in Chula Vista and Otay Mesa. Richard constructed a packing shed and shipping operation. Numerous farmers would have their tomatoes, celery, and other vegetables packed and shipped by truck and rail across the country in the 1950 to 1970’s.

She is survived by her four children: Jerry, Ronald, Jeannie and David; and by grandchildren: Michael, Mitchell, Matthew, Rodney, Lisa, Ryan, Russell, Edward and Courtney; and great-grandchildren: Rachel, Samantha, Sachi, Nicholas, Korina, Kyle, Kira, Aichan, Julia, Jared, Stella, Heather, Joseph, Amanda, Avery, Alexis, Preston and Naomi; plus many nieces and nephews. No services are planned. Family requests memorial contributions be made to the Japanese American National Museum.