Suzuko "Suzy" Kataoka

Suzuko (Suzy) Nishioka Kataoka was born in Long Beach, CA on March 26, 1920, and passed away April 4, 2016 at Taylor House Hospice.

She was born to Yasuhei and Yoshi Nishioka who farmed in Torrance, CA. She and her siblings Toshiko, Mitsuru and Sunao all worked on the family farm. After high school, she married John Yoneji Kataoka in 1941, and the newlyweds, because they were of Japanese descent, were subsequently placed in government internment camps in Rohwer and Jerome, Arkansas during WWII.

Eventually moving in 1945 to Des Moines and after raising her three children to school age, she worked for over 30 years as the “Pizza Lady” at Babe’s Restaurant in downtown Des Moines. After her brief retirement, she then worked for Hy Vee for over 6 years and Chuck’s Restaurant before her permanent retirement. In later years Suzy lived at Luther Park Apartments and Gardens before recently moving to Sunny View Care Center.

Suzy was actively involved for many years in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church and many times mentioned being inspired by Joshua 1:9 “ Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Cooking and baking for the family were pleasures in life. A cheerful disposition, love of all children and friendliness to everyone were well known to those around her.
She was preceded in death by her husband John, and is survived by children; Roger (Florence) of Gardena, CA, Lois (Stan) Zegel of Winfield, IL, and Al (June Golay) of Ankeny. She is also survived by grandsons Jon (Emily) Kataoka of Chicago, Jeff (Michelle) Kataoka of Ankeny and Eric (Amy) Kataoka of Des Moines, as well as 6 great grandchildren.

Donations and memorial contributions may be made to Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines.

Visitation will be Sunday, April 10th from 3:00-5:00 p.m., at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens and interment will be at Glendale Cemetery with a private family ceremony on Monday April 11th.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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