Esther Suyeko Murotsune

"It is said that when an elder dies, a library is lost. In her life, Esther witnessed all of this valley’s changes while firmly applying the many traditions that her Issei grandparents and parents had taught her – celebrating Mochi Day, making enough Japanese pickles to feed an army, growing orchids, and enjoying family and a lifetime of friendships.

Esther Murotsune was born to Jack and Kimi Kurasaki in San Jose's Japantown. She attended the original Moreland School and was raised with her siblings Amy, Lillian, Elizabeth, Fred, John and Norma on the family’s Doyle Road farm. With grandparents and extended family, they worked together to grow prunes, raspberries, broccoli and strawberries.

In May 1942, taking only what they could carry, the family boarded up their homes and farms, and along with the valley’s other Japanese American citizens, climbed aboard trains at Cahill Station bound for Santa Anita Racetrack. From there, they were sent to Heart Mountain Internment Camp in Wyoming. At the end of the war, Esther was sent to do domestic work for Mrs. Hale of Hale’s Department Store, where she attended and graduated from Palo Alto High School.

Esther was introduced to Roy Murotsune by her eldest sister Amy, who had met Roy while getting her car gassed at the service station on the corner of 5th and Jackson Streets in Japantown. Married on April 1, 1956 (no joke), Roy and Esther enjoyed the next 65 years raising a family, being involved in the community, traveling and meeting up regularly with friends at 4th Street Bowl and San Jose Nights in Reno. Esther had a remarkable memory, inquisitive nature and independent spirit – she always knew what she wanted and how to get things done. Her many nieces, nephews and grandchildren knew that bringing their new boyfriends or girlfriends to meet Esther meant she'd soon have an encyclopedic knowledge of his or her entire family's history.

Even though it is her husband’s name that graces the corner shop, Esther Murotsune's perspective of 5th and Jackson was unique. From that corner, she would point to the Hori Midwifery where she was born, or to the Methodist Church whose former pastor, Rev. Keith, she'd babysat when he was a child. The Buddhist Temple that her father and uncles dug and formed foundations for after long days of working on their own farms. She pointed out the place her grandparents once lived and died, while walking the same sidewalks that hold the memories of all those who came before her.

Esther passed away peacefully on February 19, 2023 and her family is grateful for her long, full life. She is survived by daughters, Carole and Sharon, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Private services have been held."

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.willowglenfuneralhome.com for the Murotsune family.