Edna Tanaka

Edna Tanaka passed away on February 28, 2016 at the age of 92 at the Val Verde Health Center in Santa Barbara, California.

She is survived by her two sons, Larry and Richard, and by 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Edna also is survived by her sister, Namiko Sahara, and her brothers, Leo Nakamura and Harry Nakamura. Her husband, Shigeo Tanaka, died in 1997 at the age of 79.

Edna was born on July 28, 1923 in San Luis Obispo, California. Her parents, Satoru and Tsugi Nakamura, were farmers, and their farm was located on land that is now part of the Montana de Oro State Park. During World War II, her family was interned at Poston in Yuma, Arizona. While living in the internment camp, she met and married Shigeo Tanaka in July, 1943. Her daughter was born in the internment camp in October 1944, however, the baby died shortly after birth.

After being released from the internment camp in 1944, Edna and Shigeo lived briefly in Salt Lake City, Utah, and then moved to Los Angeles, California in 1945. Their first son, Larry, was born in 1946. The family moved to Montebello, California in 1947, and their second son, Richard, was born in 1948.

Around 1969, the family moved to Santa Barbara, California, and Edna lived there for over 45 years.

Edna loved the wonderful weather in Santa Barbara, and she enjoyed gardening and growing orchids. She also enjoyed doing volunteer work at Bethany Congregational Church.

A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Bethany Congregational Church, 556 North Hope Ave., Santa Barbara, California.