Aida (Somekawa) Kozu

Aida Kozu passed away peacefully on February 12, 2024 in Seattle, WA at the age of 104. She was born in Portland, OR to Gensaku and Yoneko (Iwahashi) Somekawa. As the fifth of six children and the youngest girl, family was an important part of her life. Her older siblings were Arthur (married to Emi), Emiko (married to Howard Nomura), George (married to Akiko), Ayako (married to Sam Kozu), and her younger brother was Carl (married to Mari).

Aida was educated at Fernwood Elementary School, Grant High School, and a secretarial school in Portland. She was active in sports and traveled with her basketball team throughout the Pacific Northwest. In 1942, Aida and her family members who were living in Portland were incarcerated in three different relocation centers. She left Minidoka Relocation Center in 1943 after she got a secretarial position in a Cincinnati church. There, by chance, she re-met Yeichi Kozu. They had previously met in 1940, when both were in the wedding party of her sister Aya and Yeichi’s cousin, Sam Kozu. In 1942 Yeichi had volunteered to serve in the Army and was stationed at Ft. Thomas, KY, where he and Aida were married on March 4, 1944.

After the war, they moved from Chicago to Seattle, where she worked in various civil service clerical positions at the municipal and federal levels. Outside of work, she enjoyed bowling, playing bridge, golfing, and traveling. Her recipes were and remain very popular amongst her family; especially her desserts including ice water chocolate cake, pineapple upside cake, and her pies with their flaky crusts. She faithfully attended sporting events and other performances, always cheering for her family! During her later years, she kept her mind sharp with daily crossword puzzles and delighted in visits from her great grandsons.

She is survived by her three children: John (married to Darlene Eng-Kozu) of Seattle, Patricia of New York City, and Michael of Boston; four grandchildren: Ryan (married to Marina Furuta) and Nolan Kozu of Seattle, Alisa Gragert of San Marcos Sierras, Argentina, and Joy Kozu of Boston; three great grandsons: Tao and Kai Opizzo of Argentina and Joshua Kozu of Seattle; her sister-in-law Mary Kozu married to Yeichi’s brother George); and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held for immediate family members. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Aida’s memory to Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church, Project R.I.G.H.T., or your favorite cause.

- Care Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Services Lake View -