Yasuko M. Aklestad, 81
Yasuko M. Aklestad, 81, died Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, at her home in Bigfork. Yasuko was born Sept. 7, 1926, in Tokyo, Japan. Her mother passed away in 1928 when she was just 2 years old, and her father passed away in 1954.
Yasuko had a lifelong passion for sports as her father, a newspaper man, managed a baseball team when she was a young child. Her father, also an avid fisherman, passed on the love of fishing to Yasuko.
Yasuko met her husband-to-be, Arnold, in March 1948, and they carried on the tradition of sports and fishing during their long marriage. They raised three children who also developed a love for sports and fishing, and continue to pursue those interests today.
Yasuko, Arnold, and son, Jim, arrived in Bigfork in February 1953 after Arnold completed his second tour of duty in the Army. They have continuously resided in Bigfork since that time.
Yasuko was community-minded in not only sports but also she helped with the Girl Scout Brownie program and the Lady Lions. She helped to clean cabins for the Lady Lions as a fundraiser and worked in the Lions Club fair booth.
Many of the Bigfork Vikings athletes ate dinner at the family home prior to games. There were nearly daily visitations to the home for many years that Arnold was a scoutmaster, and the younger boys came to the house to pass scouting requirements, especially in the Tenderfoot and Second Class stages.
From 1953 to 1967, Yasuko and Arnold owned and operated a fishing tackle shop in Bigfork. The shop became a second home to many of the Bigfork youngsters who liked to hang out there when they weren't fishing on the Swan River. Yasuko became well-accomplished at tying flies, and she also refinished and wrapped bamboo fly rods that commonly were used in those days. When her husband was away from home a lot of the time working for the Forest Service, she ran the business by herself.
After selling the store in 1967, Yasuko worked at the Bigfork School lunch room under three separate administrations. She helped the Lutheran Church make lefse for the annual lutefisk dinner, learning the art of making lefse from the older ladies in the church. Yasuko and her husband attended basketball games at the district, divisional and state games all across Montana.
Yasuko's health was failing after two surgeries, but she remained an ardent fan and looked forward to watching the Bigfork Vals and Vikings basketball games. She continued to follow the Montana Grizzlies football and basketball games. Even when she was not able to travel to Missoula, she listened to radio broadcasts and watched the televised games.
Yasuko was no longer able to accompany Arnold ice fishing or trolling in the boat for salmon and trout. Yasuko loved reading e-mail messages from the children and grandchildren who are all grown, finished college and have good jobs.
Yasuko is survived by her husband, Arnold, at the family home; sons, Jim and Lori Aklestad in Great Falls, Pete Aklestad in Sacramento, Calif.; daughter, Linda, and Larry Lockrem in Kennewick, Wash. Yasuko is also survived by granddaughters, Dannelle and Kevin Dyke in Great Falls, Jill Aklestad in Eatonville, Wash., Lisa Lockrem in Richland, Wash., and Lindsey Lockrem in Oceanside, Calif.; and one great-granddaughter, Karlie, in Great Falls.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Little Brown Church in Bigfork, with the Rev. Ron Pierce officiating. Urn burial will be private. There will be a reception after the service at the Little Brown Church.
Memorial contributions may be made in Yasuko's memory to the Bigfork Quick Response Unit, 810 Grand Ave., ATTN: Vern Childers, Bigfork, MT 59911 or the Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for the family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonsmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Yasuko's guest book.