Aiko Mikami

Aiko Mikami, 87, of Lodi, died on January 18.  She was born in Hiroshima, Japan, on August 27, 1929.  A devoted student of Japanese arts, Mrs. Mikami received at the age of 28 the highest tea ceremony certificate, Midare, from the School of Omotesenke and was the only person in the U.S. to hold such a distinctive certificate.  1958, she immigrated to the US, marrying Matsuto Jim Mikami of Lodi.  During her time in California, she was an ambassador of Japanese culture.  In 1969, she became a founder of the Omotesenke Domonkai, Northern California chapter, an organization focused on the study of the art of tea ceremony; it has over 250 members today.  In addition to teaching tea ceremony, Mrs. Mikami taught koto and shamisen, two classical Japanese instruments, for over 50 years to more than 100 students.  Additionally, over her lifetime she performed countless demonstrations of Japanese culture including music, tea ceremonies, origami crafts, and flower arrangements at venues from San Francisco to Micke Grove to nearly all local elementary schools. Lastly, Mrs. Mikami was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother.  She helped grow grapes on the family vineyard and successfully raised two children through college.

She is survived by her daughter, Eileen Takeda, of Clovis; son, Jason, of Oakland; and three granddaughters.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Matsuto Jim Mikami, and brother Masanori Ninomiya.

 SERVICES

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Lodi Buddhist Church, 23 N. Stockton St., Lodi.  Inurnment will be private at Cherokee Memorial Park.

Betty Pickrell

Betty Joan Pickrell passed away peacefully in Lodi on January 15, 2017. She was 90 years old. Betty was born in Oberlin, KS on May 8, 1926, to Oscar and Lela Kemp. Betty lived last 45 years in Lodi and worked as a bookkeeper for over 20 years. She loved taking road trips and always seemed to have good luck at the casinos.She is survived by her children: Merle Pickrell (Toni) of Harold, Brenda Hill (John) of Lodi, and Marilyn Brookes (Bob) of Harold, CA; 7 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Don Pickrell and her parents.

VISITATION

Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, 831 Industrial Way, Lodi, CA 95240

SERVICES

A funeral service will take place at 1 PM on Thursday, January 19, 2017, at the Evergreen Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, Hwy 99 and Harney Ln, Lodi CA.

Cherokee Memorial Park is a 501(c)13 non-profit company, owned and operated exclusively for the benefit of the community, serving Lodi, Stockton, Galt, Manteca and the San Joaquin Valley since 1940.

Contact Us

CEMETERY OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sunday Closed

Mausoleums Daily
8:00 am - 4:30 pm


FUNERAL HOME OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Weekends by Appointment
*Staff available 24/7
for immediate need