Keiko Yamato, 84, of Sugar City, passed away on December 30, 2011 at her home in Sugar City of natural causes.

Keiko was born on April 17, 1927 to Sauburou and Kikue Sugihara in Kagawa-ken, Japan. Her mother died in 1932. Keiko was then raised by her maternal grandparents, Ichijirou and Hisa Murai.

Keiko grew up on her grandparents farm growing fruits, vegetables and rice. They also made "zori" (working sandles) during the winter months. In addition, she also helped on her uncle's farm, where they grew fruits, vegetables and silkworms.
She enjoyed going to school and studied hard after her farm chores were done.

In high school, she was the team captain of the school's volleyball team. After graduating from high school in 1940, she trained to be a nurse with the Japan Red Cross. Afterwards, she worked at the hospital in Takamatsu, Japan.

Through mutual acquaintances, Keiko was introduced to the widower, Manabu Yamato, as a potential arranged marriage. After dating for a short period of time, they were married on October 10th 1958. After they were married, Keiko began to be a stay-at-home mother to Hironori, a son from a previous marriage of Manabu. In 1962, Manabu and Keiko were blessed with their only child, a daughter, Ikuko.

In 1973, the LDS missionaries began visiting Keiko Yamato in Fukuoka, Japan. After meeting with the missionaries for about a year, she wanted to join the LDS church, but could not due to her family. After her husband passed away in 1975, Keiko began working at a vegetable and fruit market. Later, Keiko returned to the nursing profession through the help of LDS members. Due to the efforts of Stake Missionaries, Primary Teachers, and others, Keiko and Ikuko were baptized into the LDS Church in 1977.

Keiko enjoyed serving in the church and had many callings including: Primary Teacher, Primary President, and Relief Society President. She also learned sign language to translate for the deaf at church conferences in Japan.

In August 2010, at the age of 83, Keiko immigrated to the United States to live with her daughter and son-in law and their family in Sugar City Idaho.
Keiko is survived by her daughter Ikuko and her son-in-law Gene and her two grandchildren Cody and Kalei Weller.

Keiko is preceded in death by her husband Manabu and her parents' Sauburou and Kikue Sugihara.

Funeral services will be held Saturday Jan 7th at the Sugar City LDS Stake Center at 10:15 A.M. Bishop Craig Bean will conduct the funeral services. Friends may call at the church from 9:00 to 10:15 A.M. prior to the services. Her interment will be in Kagawa-ken, Japan next to her husband.