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73, suffered a medical emergency while playing golf and passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside on December 8, 2024. Born in Kapaa on the island of Kauai, she was a proud Kapaa High School alum. After graduation, she studied for two years at the University of Hawaii before attending Midland Lutheran College (now Midland University) in Fremont Nebraska, earning a teaching degree with cum laude honors. This decision to go to school in Nebraska demonstrated Ella’s adventurous side, going solo to the middle of the country sight unseen. Returning home there were more teachers than jobs, so Ella ended up working in banking: first at City Bank, and then Honfed. Much of her career was on the administrative side of the banks. At Honfed, Ella transitioned to IT, moving to Altel when Honfed outsourced its IT process. Ella worked her way up through several acquisitions to Office Manager of the local office of Systematics. She was the perfect wife and mom, balancing the career, the family and the household. Retiring in the late 1990s, Ella found more time for golf. She played regularly with friends and family at Oahu Country Club. She served a term as President of the Ladies Spouse Golf Association at the Country Club. Outside of the Country Club, Ella also enjoyed playing with the Kapolei Women’s Golf Club and the Vagabond Golf Gang. Ella was proud of her three holes-in-one. Travel also came into the routine after she retired, with several trips planned each year, at least one of which was international. Over her lifetime, Ella was able to set foot on 5 of the 7 continents. In recent years, Ella was excited and happy that Tyler added Nicole to our family and blessed us with two grandchildren, Riley and Knox. We continued to travel but now had new motivation to bring gifts home for the grandkids. Ella was always friendly, cheerful, happy to help others, and willing to get involved. The motivation was the cosmopolitan martini at the end, be it golf or any other task. She always enjoyed that Cosmo. Ella will be missed by her family and many friends. Ella is survived by her husband, Denis; sons, Tyler (Nicole) and Travis; two grandchildren, Riley and Knox; and sisters, Judie (Bert) Zukemura and Ginger Saiki. She was predeceased by her parents, George and Shizue Saiki; and brother, Gary Saiki. Private Services were held. A Celebration of Ella’s Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements Provided By: Hosoi Garden Mortuary |
