Mitsu Wallace was born on May 1, 1930 in Akita-Ken, Japan, the daughter of Choziro and Takeyo (Okayama) Yamaguchi. She had two brothers and two sisters. Most of her childhood was spent in Tokyo, Japan. She studied English and went to dressmaker school. She worked in the American Embassy in Tokyo. She was united in marriage to Herbert Paul Wallace of Milo, IA on February 28, 1952. She met Herbert while he was stationed in Japan while he was training Japanese firefighters. The couple had three children.
Since Herbert was in the military, Mitsu lived in many different places, including Marlyand, Japan, Panama, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Alaska, Texas and Iowa. Mitsu had many adjustments in her life, living in a very different country with all its cultural differences. She often raised her children alone when Herbert was away in Korea, Greenland and Vietnam. She studied hard and obtained her American citizenship. She was a Christian and was baptized and later attended Lower Grove Community Church.
Mitsu will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and smile. She loved flowers and plants and music. She liked to dance and could do everything from the waltz, cha-cha, tango and the two-step. She was a great cook and worked at several establishments in Pella as head cook. When Governor Ray and his wife went into the kitchen at Strawtown to compliment her on their meal, she was humble and appreciative. She also enjoyed working at the Pella Country Club and the Netherlander. Mitsue worked at the largest hotel in Anchorage, Alaska. When the Beatles stayed there on their way to Japan, she laughed so hard at the large crowds of people who would scream if anyone with dark hair looked out an open window.
Mitsu maintained her cultural identity by conducting her life according to the best Japanese traditions. She made contributions to the community in her own way by providing a cultural experience. She taught adults and children how to perform Japanese dances and they performed wearing authentic kimonos. She made Japanese meals for different groups in her home and for her church. She wore her silk kimono and danced with fans.
After Herb retired, they moved to El Paso, Texas. Mitsu was active and attended concerts and other events. They made trips to visit her family in Japan every two years. They returned to live in Knoxville when Herb became ill. He passed away on January 16, 1999. Mitsu moved to Arkansas to live with family, then returned to live in Pella in 2011 to live with her daughters and to be near family. She became ill and moved into Comfort House in August. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 12, 2011 at the age of 81 years.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Edward Wallace of Lake Kemp, TX; daughters, Margaret Houck and Darlene Mick, both of Pella; four grandchildren, Christine Tabor of Ft. Smith, AR, Michael Hammond of Knoxville, Justin Stursma of Pella and Jennifer Cooper of Orlando, FL; eight great-grandchildren, Jessica, Skylar, Maddison, Evan, Sydney, Jordyn, Jacob and Abbie; one great-great granddaughter, Camille Felicity; and many relatives in Japan.
Since Herbert was in the military, Mitsu lived in many different places, including Marlyand, Japan, Panama, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Alaska, Texas and Iowa. Mitsu had many adjustments in her life, living in a very different country with all its cultural differences. She often raised her children alone when Herbert was away in Korea, Greenland and Vietnam. She studied hard and obtained her American citizenship. She was a Christian and was baptized and later attended Lower Grove Community Church.
Mitsu will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and smile. She loved flowers and plants and music. She liked to dance and could do everything from the waltz, cha-cha, tango and the two-step. She was a great cook and worked at several establishments in Pella as head cook. When Governor Ray and his wife went into the kitchen at Strawtown to compliment her on their meal, she was humble and appreciative. She also enjoyed working at the Pella Country Club and the Netherlander. Mitsue worked at the largest hotel in Anchorage, Alaska. When the Beatles stayed there on their way to Japan, she laughed so hard at the large crowds of people who would scream if anyone with dark hair looked out an open window.
Mitsu maintained her cultural identity by conducting her life according to the best Japanese traditions. She made contributions to the community in her own way by providing a cultural experience. She taught adults and children how to perform Japanese dances and they performed wearing authentic kimonos. She made Japanese meals for different groups in her home and for her church. She wore her silk kimono and danced with fans.
After Herb retired, they moved to El Paso, Texas. Mitsu was active and attended concerts and other events. They made trips to visit her family in Japan every two years. They returned to live in Knoxville when Herb became ill. He passed away on January 16, 1999. Mitsu moved to Arkansas to live with family, then returned to live in Pella in 2011 to live with her daughters and to be near family. She became ill and moved into Comfort House in August. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 12, 2011 at the age of 81 years.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Edward Wallace of Lake Kemp, TX; daughters, Margaret Houck and Darlene Mick, both of Pella; four grandchildren, Christine Tabor of Ft. Smith, AR, Michael Hammond of Knoxville, Justin Stursma of Pella and Jennifer Cooper of Orlando, FL; eight great-grandchildren, Jessica, Skylar, Maddison, Evan, Sydney, Jordyn, Jacob and Abbie; one great-great granddaughter, Camille Felicity; and many relatives in Japan.
Mitsu Wallace was born on May 1, 1930 in Akita-Ken, Japan, the daughter of Choziro and Takeyo (Okayama) Yamaguchi. She had two brothers and two sisters. Most of her childhood was spent in Tokyo, Japan. She studied English and went to dressmaker school. She worked in the American Embassy in Tokyo. She was united in marriage to Herbert Paul Wallace of Milo, IA on February 28, 1952. She met Herbert while he was stationed in Japan while he was training Japanese firefighters. The couple had three children.
Since Herbert was in the military, Mitsu lived in many different places, including Marlyand, Japan, Panama, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Alaska, Texas and Iowa. Mitsu had many adjustments in her life, living in a very different country with all its cultural differences. She often raised her children alone when Herbert was away in Korea, Greenland and Vietnam. She studied hard and obtained her American citizenship. She was a Christian and was baptized and later attended Lower Grove Community Church.
Mitsu will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and smile. She loved flowers and plants and music. She liked to dance and could do everything from the waltz, cha-cha, tango and the two-step. She was a great cook and worked at several establishments in Pella as head cook. When Governor Ray and his wife went into the kitchen at Strawtown to compliment her on their meal, she was humble and appreciative. She also enjoyed working at the Pella Country Club and the Netherlander. Mitsue worked at the largest hotel in Anchorage, Alaska. When the Beatles stayed there on their way to Japan, she laughed so hard at the large crowds of people who would scream if anyone with dark hair looked out an open window.
Mitsu maintained her cultural identity by conducting her life according to the best Japanese traditions. She made contributions to the community in her own way by providing a cultural experience. She taught adults and children how to perform Japanese dances and they performed wearing authentic kimonos. She made Japanese meals for different groups in her home and for her church. She wore her silk kimono and danced with fans.
After Herb retired, they moved to El Paso, Texas. Mitsu was active and attended concerts and other events. They made trips to visit her family in Japan every two years. They returned to live in Knoxville when Herb became ill. He passed away on January 16, 1999. Mitsu moved to Arkansas to live with family, then returned to live in Pella in 2011 to live with her daughters and to be near family. She became ill and moved into Comfort House in August. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 12, 2011 at the age of 81 years.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Edward Wallace of Lake Kemp, TX; daughters, Margaret Houck and Darlene Mick, both of Pella; four grandchildren, Christine Tabor of Ft. Smith, AR, Michael Hammond of Knoxville, Justin Stursma of Pella and Jennifer Cooper of Orlando, FL; eight great-grandchildren, Jessica, Skylar, Maddison, Evan, Sydney, Jordyn, Jacob and Abbie; one great-great granddaughter, Camille Felicity; and many relatives in Japan.
Since Herbert was in the military, Mitsu lived in many different places, including Marlyand, Japan, Panama, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Alaska, Texas and Iowa. Mitsu had many adjustments in her life, living in a very different country with all its cultural differences. She often raised her children alone when Herbert was away in Korea, Greenland and Vietnam. She studied hard and obtained her American citizenship. She was a Christian and was baptized and later attended Lower Grove Community Church.
Mitsu will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and smile. She loved flowers and plants and music. She liked to dance and could do everything from the waltz, cha-cha, tango and the two-step. She was a great cook and worked at several establishments in Pella as head cook. When Governor Ray and his wife went into the kitchen at Strawtown to compliment her on their meal, she was humble and appreciative. She also enjoyed working at the Pella Country Club and the Netherlander. Mitsue worked at the largest hotel in Anchorage, Alaska. When the Beatles stayed there on their way to Japan, she laughed so hard at the large crowds of people who would scream if anyone with dark hair looked out an open window.
Mitsu maintained her cultural identity by conducting her life according to the best Japanese traditions. She made contributions to the community in her own way by providing a cultural experience. She taught adults and children how to perform Japanese dances and they performed wearing authentic kimonos. She made Japanese meals for different groups in her home and for her church. She wore her silk kimono and danced with fans.
After Herb retired, they moved to El Paso, Texas. Mitsu was active and attended concerts and other events. They made trips to visit her family in Japan every two years. They returned to live in Knoxville when Herb became ill. He passed away on January 16, 1999. Mitsu moved to Arkansas to live with family, then returned to live in Pella in 2011 to live with her daughters and to be near family. She became ill and moved into Comfort House in August. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 12, 2011 at the age of 81 years.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Edward Wallace of Lake Kemp, TX; daughters, Margaret Houck and Darlene Mick, both of Pella; four grandchildren, Christine Tabor of Ft. Smith, AR, Michael Hammond of Knoxville, Justin Stursma of Pella and Jennifer Cooper of Orlando, FL; eight great-grandchildren, Jessica, Skylar, Maddison, Evan, Sydney, Jordyn, Jacob and Abbie; one great-great granddaughter, Camille Felicity; and many relatives in Japan.
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