Katie Myers

Kazuko (“Katie”) Myers, 86, passed away on March 19 at Meadowlark Hills, Manhattan. She was born November 10, 1929 in Fukushima Ken, Japan, the daughter of Fumiyoshi and Hana Tanji. She attended schools in Japan, growing up as a teenager during WWII. She met Merle Myers, a career soldier stationed in Japan, and they married on January 11, 1955 at the American Embassy in Tokyo. Their first son, Mike, was born in October of 1955. In August of 1956, Merle returned with Kazuko and Mike to make their home in the United States. Merle’s mother, Rose Myers, and all of her family welcomed the young Japanese bride and their son. They affectionately gave her the American name “Katie”. Merle and Katie were the parents of three additional children: Sarah Elizabeth (Beth), Kathleen Rose, and Larry Fredrick. Katie received her U.S. citizenship in December of 1960 and was, from that point on, fully committed to being an American in all ways. She made a career of caring for her family in the home while her children were growing up. She later worked as a renowned cook at the Lakeview Retirement Center and Wakefield Short Stop. In 1999, when Katie moved to Junction City, she worked at Lincoln Elementary School. She loved the job and the opportunity to work with children on a daily basis. Survivors include her children Mike (Tracy) of Clay Center, Beth (Steve) Hudson of Junction City, Kathy (Pat) Tremont of Junction City, Larry Myers of Manhattan, and two step-children, Mark and Ann. Katie also had five beloved grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. Surviving in Japan were one brother and one sister. She is preceded in death by her husband, Merle, grandson, Geoffrey Myers and brother, Aigee. A Celebration of Life will be at the United Methodist Church in Wakefield on Wednesday afternoon, March 23, at 2:00 p.m. The family will have a visitation at the United Methodist Church in Wakefield Tuesday evening, March 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Meadowlark Hills in Manhattan, Kansas or Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.