In Esther’s early childhood, her family moved to Seattle, where she graduated from Broadway High School. Soon after graduation, Esther was interned in a temporary camp in Puyallup, Washington, where she stayed a few months before being transferred to another internment camp in Minidoka, Idaho. She stayed there for about one year before being released to live with her sister in Spokane, Washington, where she met the love of her life, Terry Katayama, in 1944.

Terry and Esther dated for about four years before getting married in a Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Andrews in Seattle. Terry and Esther lived in Terry’s family home in Seattle, until Terry graduated from the University of Washington in 1951.

After raising their family in California, Terry and Esther returned to the Pacific Northwest in 1980. Terry spent the rest of his career at Intel Corp. and Esther settled in to create a beautiful home for her family.

Esther was a ballroom dancer, and artist, a wonderful cook and a seamstress. She loved to entertain and take care of her family. She was able to travel with Terry to Japan in 1981, take a cruise to Alaska with her entire family and had many other adventures before her health slowed her down in later years. She passed away peacefully in her home with her husband, Terry, at her side.

Born: August 27, 1924 Place of Birth: Tacoma, WA USA Death: July 26, 2011 Occupation: Homemaker Hobbies: Ballroom dancing, art, cooking and sewing Terry, Spouse Robert, Son Diane, Daughter Sharon, Daughter David, Son 4 Grandchildren

A service

Monday August 1, 2011 , 2:00pm at Riverview Abbey Funeral Home
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