Aiko Lane

She was born in Tochigi, Japan on November 7, 1931 to Monzo and Kiyono (Tazuka) Sakamoto. Aiko loved cooking and had a career as an executive Chef at AFLAC for the Japanese advisors. She also worked for Madame Butterfly's Restaurant in Columbus, GA. Aiko enjoyed Bingo and the occasional slot machine if she would win. She cherished memories of various Army assignments with her husband which include France, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, Kaiserslautern West Germany and Fort Benning Georgia. Aiko could always be found in her garden where she enjoyed spirited discussions with her husband and entertaining neighbors.

In addition to her parents, and her sister, Kayo-Omi, and brothers Masao, Kei and Juzo Sakamoto from Japan, Aiko was preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, CW3 (Ret) Riley E. Lane and her closest friend of 50 years, Kayoko "Cookie" Putnam. She is survived by extended family in Japan, and Cookie’s family who looked upon Aiko as a second mother and grandmother; Jerry Putnam and his wife Barbara of Lexington, N.C.; Sherrie Dietz and her husband Steven of Columbus, GA, and Annette Griner and her husband Tom of Saint Petersburg F.L. Those who looked upon her as a second grandmother are Lauren Chamberlin and her husband Joshua; Kendall Putnam; Susan Pettee and her husband Michael; Thomas Grantham and his wife Tiffany; Kelly Fields and her husband Patrick; Scott Redmond and his wife Nikki; Leah Chiocca and her husband Joe; and numerous great-grandchildren. She was loved and adored by many other friends and neighbors to include waiters and waitresses at numerous restaurants she frequented. Especially Poco Loco in Smiths Station, AL, New China Buffet and Wasabi on Manchester Expressway in Columbus where she was treated like a princess. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alley Cat Allies at www.alleycat.org as she enjoyed cats.

Memorial Service will be held Friday 6 March 2026 in the Mill Room at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary of Columbus at 3:00 pm. Private Interment will be determined at a later date.

Condolences may be offered online at www.shcolumbus.com.