Obituaries for Sunday, February 26, 2023
Harriet Fumie Iseri
Harriet Fumie Iseri
Harriet Fumie Iseri passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 13, 2023, at the age of 99. She was born on April 20, 1923, on Kaua‘i. She was a retired postal clerk in Koloa.
She was preceded in death by parents Suketaro and Shizuno Hamamura, husband Nisuke Iseri, son Steven Farmer, brothers Masamu, Noboru, Tadao, Shigeto, Yorio “Jackson,” Bunto and Hiroaki, sisters Sadako, Tokiko “Gladys” and Toiko, and grandson Dale Farmer.
She is survived by sons Robert (Antoinette “Toni”) Farmer and Neal (Alison) Iseri, grandchildren Carrie Farmer, Kit (Debbie) Farmer, Kyle (Sasha) Farmer, Janine Iseri and Hokulani Iseri, great-grandchildren Mikayla, Ella and Konnor Gonzalez, Kody, Kameron and Karter Farmer, Keanu Ryan Myers and Jayshalyn Michelle Swallow.
A celebration of life is Saturday, March 4, at the West Kaua‘i Hongwanji in Hanapepe, with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by services at 11 a.m. Due to COVID-19, masks are required and temperatures will be taken.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Gladys K. Okada
Gladys K. Okada passed away on Feb. 8, 2023, in Lihu‘e, at the age of 91.
She was born on Sept. 17, 1931, in ‘Ele‘ele. She was a retired school teacher at Waimea Canyon School.
She was preceded in death by husband Dr. George S. Okada.
She is survived by daughters Lauri (Eric) Yama of Lihu‘e and Joni (Kerry) Ishihara of O‘ahu, grandchildren Lauren Yama, Kimberly (Joshua) Tamaoka, Kelli (Jared) Tavares and Torri (Jay) Yoshizawa, great-grandchildren Emma and Wyatt Tavares, Zoey, Quinn and Nina Tamaoka and Liam Yoshizawa, brother Koichi Tokushige of O‘ahu, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service is at the Waimea United Church of Christ on March 4. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. and service to follow at 11 a.m.
The family suggests aloha attire and requests that flowers be omitted.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family the family with arrangements.
Aleck Ailes Fiesta
Aleck Ailes Fiesta passed away on Feb. 7, 2023, at the age of 52. He was born on Aug. 16, 1970 in the Philippines. He was a security guard.
He was preceded in death by wife Aileen V. Fiesta.
He is survived by sons Karlgene V. Fiesta of Waimea and Karlvee Ian V. Fiesta of the Philippines, mother Feliciana Fiesta of Waimea, sisters Sally Fiesta of Puhi, May Williams (Mark) of Virginia, Violeta (Dr. Roger Netzer) Fiesta-Netzer of Wailua, Lourdes (Lito) Cruz of ‘Ele‘ele, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service is Wednesday, March 1, at Garden Island Mortuary, with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by a celebration of life. The family requests casual attire and welcomes flowers.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family the family with arrangements.
Jennis O. Christian
Jennis O. Christian passed away peacefully on Dec. 21, 2022 at the age of 89. She was born on March 3, 1933 in Lihu‘e. She was a dedicated homemaker.
She was preceded in passing by husband Donald Christian, father Joseph Iida, mothers Marie and Isabella Iida, siblings Joseph, Charlie Iida and Merilyn Costa, sons-in-law Timmy Alalem and Teddy Gorospe, and grandchildren Tyler and Aaron Alesna.
She is survived by daughters Ambrenette (Eddie) Ancheta, Suzette (Randy) Racca, Deanne Gorospe, Laureen (Andy) Alesna, Jan Cheryle Alalem, Claire Ann Christian, Jolynn (Steven) Gladmann and Apryl Worthington, son Wayne Manago, 24 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren and brother Harold Iida.
Please join our ‘ohana in a celebration of life at the St. Catherine Church on Saturday, March 4. Visitation is from 8 to 9 a.m. and services at 10 a.m. Burial will follow after Mass at Kealia Cemetery. The family suggests casual attire.
Thank you Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home for assisting the family and family arrangements, and mahalo to JC’s Flower & Mini Mart.
David Ray Goller
David Ray Goller, 81, of Wailua Homesteads, passed away on the morning of Jan. 27, 2023. He was born in Tacoma, Washington on April 6, 1941 and grew up on Bainbridge Island, Washington. He served in the Army from February 1966 to February 1968.
Returning to Washington, he was employed by American Marine Bank, and resigned in 1986 as their president, to move to his next favorite island, Kaua‘i, and make it his new home. On Kaua‘i, he worked a couple years selling cars for Garden Island Motors and Kauai Toyota.
He then went back to his banking roots, and was employed by First Hawaiian Bank for 21 years as branch manager during various times at the Rice Street, Koloa, Kapa‘a and Princeville branches. He served for several years as president of the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital Foundation, and was on the advisory board for Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity. He retired in 2013 and spent his time helping to raise his grandchildren. He enjoyed sports and classic cars.
He was preceded in death by parents Louis and Gloria Goller and son Greg.
He is survived by wife Lynn Bach Goller, son Jorgen Goller of Washington, daughters Elizabeth Goller of Washington and Lauren Ragudo of Lihu‘e, brothers Jeffrey (Carrie) Goller and Joel Goller of Washington, grandchildren Matthew Moattar, Jane Moattar, Torsten Goller, Aadie Goller, Henrik Goller, Cain “Sugar” Goller, Rex Slezak, Tiare Ragudo and Jasmine Ragudo, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be announced in the future.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is assisting family with arrangements.
Katherine K. Matsushima
Katherine K. Matsushima, 77, of Anahola, passed away on Feb. 10, 2023. She was born in Lihu‘e on June 6, 1945.
She was preceded in passing by husband Clifford Matsushima Sr., parents August Sr. and Katherine Kane, brother August Jr. and granddaughters Mistie and Teeana Valpoon.
She is survived by children Dexter “Kaleo” Matsushima, Leah “Teete” (Russell) Matsushima, Cassie (Aaron) Camara, Deede (Peter) Contrades and Clifford Jr. “Kaina” (Glenda) Matsushima, siblings April Reis, Lowell (Joann) Kane and Elizabeth “Keala” (Tony) Prem, grandchildren Cody Valpoon, Aarika-lei (Kameron) and Austin Camara, Chelsey Contrades, Kaison and Kaeleigh Matsushima, great-grandchildren Aleiah Agtarap, Ileana, La‘akea and Kamaehu Contrades-Oshiro, Lihau, Lawai‘a, Lokahi and Kaikoa Valpoon and Liloa Ragsac.
A celebration of life is Saturday, March 11, at Ko‘olau Hui‘ia Protestant Church in Anahola. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with services to follow.
Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
Kayla A.K. Pantohan-Kali
Kayla Aiko Kauikaulanaku‘umomiomakanalani Pantohan-Kali, 20, passed away on Jan. 25, 2023, at Kaua‘i Veterans Medical Hospital.
She was preceded in death by great-grandparents Benjamin (Susan Pavao) Kali Sr. and James (Salala Keamoai) Kahale Sr. and grandfather Michael Pantohan.
She is survived by daughters Sirvalience C.K. and Kayhani R.K. Kalani of Hanapepe, parents Renee “Momi” (Mason) Fujimoto-Kali of Hanapepe and Curt Pantohan of Pakala, brothers Lo‘ea and Liloa Pantohan of Kekaha, grandparents Colleen Pantohan of Pakala, Mitchell (Laurie Keamoai) Kali Sr. of Hanapepe, and aunts and uncles Mitchell Kali Jr., Michele (Kurt) Oshima and Talia (Jonathan) Green.
A celebration of life is at Garden Island Mortuary on Saturday, March 4. Viewing is from 9 to 11 a.m. and service to follow. Burial will follow at the Hanapepe Hawaiian Cemetery, followed by a gathering at Hanapepe Stadium tennis courts.
Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd. is assisting the family with arrangements.
Daniel Ewan Chowen
Daniel Ewan Chowen, 74, of Minneapolis and Koloa, passed away on Feb. 21, 2023, after spending the final months of his life in the loving care of his wife, Mary, and devoted dog, Taylor, while enjoying the beauty and tranquility of their Kaua‘i community.
He was born on July 24, 1948, to Joe and Charlotte Chowen, the seventh of their 13 children. After graduating from Minnetonka High School, he Danny served in the U.S. Army in Laos and Thailand, then attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He returned to the Twin Cities, where he began a career in construction and bricklaying. In 1980, he met the love of his life, Mary Daschner, and they married in 1983.
He will always be remembered for his wry sense of humor, his passion for baseball (especially for his beloved Twins and Cubs), his deep appreciation of jazz music, his lifelong admiration for Muhammad Ali, his love of travel, and most of all for his devotion and generosity to his extended family.
As the ultimate “middle child,” he had a special connection to his siblings and their spouses throughout his life, and after meeting Mary, he embraced her family with open arms as well. His nieces and nephews adored their uncle Danny, and have many memories of fun and interesting times spent by his side.
In addition to Mary and Taylor, he is survived by siblings Lew (Jan) Chowen, Joan (Dick) Downham, Mike (Jackie Reece) Chowen, Mark (Adele Stock) Chowen, Matt (Maddy Baird) Chowen, Kathy (Craig) Larsen, Joe (LuAnn) Chowen, Jack (June) Chowen and Terry Chowen. He is also survived by Mary’s siblings and their spouses, as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by sisters Charlotte Matthews, Mary Minder and Caroline Bergman.
A memorial service is at the Memorial Chapel at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, on Saturday, March 18, at 10 a.m., with visitation beginning one hour prior. His service will be available to live stream at https://vimeo.com/event/2908439.
The family would like thank Kaua‘i Hospice for their invaluable support and care during the past several months.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Kaua‘i Hospice at https://kauaihospice.org/ or to Southern Poverty Law Center at https://support.splcenter.org/site/Donation2?3301.donation=form1&df_id=3301&mfc_pref=T.
Charlotte Lee (Townsend) Kawamura
Charlotte Lee (Townsend) Kawamura passed away peacefully at home Dec. 13, 2022, at the age of 79.
She is survived by her husband Steven “Herbie” Kawamura, brothers Jeff and Tom Townsend, children Cara Colombini, Dante (Beth) Colombini, Angela (Keith) Kaneko and Stephanie Kawamura. She is also survived by four grandsons and two great-grandsons.
A memorial service will be held at Kapa‘a Missionary Church on Saturday, March 4. Visitation is at 10 a.m. with services to follow.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
