Yoko (Watanabe) Myrstol , 80

Yoko (Watanabe) Myrstol “went home to be with the Lord” on May 12, 2012.

She was born on Dec. 3, 1931, in Kawasaki City, Japan.

As a young woman, Yoko worked at the PX in Japan, where she met the love of her life Ben Myrstol, a soldier in the U.S. Army. They married on July 14, 1951, and moved to the U.S. in December of that same year. After Ben’s discharge from the Army, they made their home in Plains.

Yoko studied hard to become an American citizen and was so very proud of this country.

Yoko loved to cook and worked at various jobs in that industry but her heart belonged to the Plains School and her beloved school cafeteria, where she dedicated 20 years of her life.

She loved every student and was so proud of their accomplishments. When she was not creating wonderful meals for the school, she could always be found at the gym rooting on the basketball team. Even going so far as to travel the state to follow their success.

 She was a member of the First Lutheran Church and was the Bingo Queen at the Plains Senior Center.

Yoko was preceded in death by her husband, Ben; her parents; and her sister, Yoshiko Yokozeki.

 She is survived by two sisters, Katsuko Kawai, and Sheigeko Sugawa, and a brother, Kenji Yokozeki, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, all of Japan.

 Yoko is also survived by her American family, sister-in-law Ellen Isakson, Donna McCrea, Marie Barber, and Nancy James, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

 Yoko was kind to everyone she met. Her open heart and infectious giggle will be missed by all who were blessed enough to know her.

A memorial service will be held in Yoko’s honor at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 26 at her beloved Plains High School Gymnasium. A luncheon at the VFW will follow.  

Memorial donations can be made to the Plains Booster Club.

Arrangements are being handled by Sunset Hills Funeral Homes.