Jeanne Fumiko Nagaki, 93, passed away on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2018 in Ontario, OR. Jeanne was born July 30, 1925 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was the third of eight children to Arata and Toki (Takata) Mayeda who were farmers. She graduated from Iona High School in Idaho Falls in 1942. She and her sisters cooked for the farm hands and the family.
After a very brief courtship, Jeanne married Masayoshi Nagaki on June 19, 1946 and moved to Nagaki Farms on the Oregon Slope. There Jeanne and Mas began their lives as husband and wife and started their family with Patricia June; two years later, Nancy joined the family; and Ellen, the baby, joined the family six years later.
Jeanne was the quintessential farmer's wife. She helped in the daily operations of the farms as well as keeping the house, taking care of the children, and having meals ready for her husband (and later grandsons).
She loved gardening and had an immaculate yard with beautiful flowers. She loved to share the bounties from her vegetable garden with the family and friends EXCEPT one time her prized watermelon turned up missing. New words were expressed that her surprised grandsons had not heard before. Crocheting was a passion: and each family had their own afghan. She also enjoyed cooking and baking. Her family always looked forward to enjoying her delicious Japanese dishes and no one could ever leave her home without some of her homemade treats. She loved animals and always had a cat or a dog. She took great joy in her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jeanne is survived by her brother Takashi (Misa) Mayeda of Las Vegas; her loving daughters: Patricia June (Kyle) Lassiter, Nancy Hoffman, and Ellen (Gerry) Camp; six grandchildren: Tory (Brandy) Bratcher, Tracy (Lindsey) Bratcher, Jeremiah (Anna) Camp, Mindy Hoffman, Darci Camp, and Mark (Ashlee) Hoffman; nine great-grandchildren: Analise and Mazy Stringer; Sadie and Payson Bratcher; Schuyler, Royston, and Masayoshi Bratcher; Madelyn Hoffman, and Anastasia Camp; and her beloved cat Maggie. Jeanne is preceded in death by her husband Masayoshi, her parents Arata and Toki Mayeda, her siblings: Isamu, Yukino, Joe, Mary, Yutaka, and Satoshi.
A visitation will be held Friday, September 21st from 5-7 p.m. at Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel in Payette. There will be a private family graveside service followed by a Celebration of Life Service at the Ontario Armory, 1330 SW 4th St. Ontario, OR on Saturday at 2 p.m. September 22nd.
Condolences may be made to Jeanne’s family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Jensen Chapel, Payette.
