Emiko "Em" Yamada passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 19, 2021.

Em was born to Shigema and Ikeno Kato in 1932 at the Japanese Hospital in Los Angeles and had two younger brothers, Goro and Hiro. Her family lived in Little Tokyo when WWII started. At 9 years old, she and her family were interned at the Heart Mountain Relocation Camp in Wyoming where her father later died. After the war, Em worked as a legal secretary and rose to office manager of a top law firm in downtown Los Angeles. She retired in 1983.

Em was the 1952 Nisei Week Queen.  George "Horse" Yoshinaga drove the car she rode in during the parade that year.  By her sole effort, she united all the former queens and founded the annual Queens Reunion Luncheon. She stayed active with various groups in the Japanese American community for most of her life. In 2016 she was honored as a Nisei Week Pioneer.

She was married to Henry "Tak" Yamada for 62 years. Together they enjoyed family life, playing Hana and Sunday family drives. In 1969 they moved to the WLA/Venice area.  In later years they took up ballroom dancing and could frequently be seen at George's Cafe in Culver City enjoying meals with family and friends.

Em was beloved wife of late husband Henry "Tak" Yamada.  Mother of Merilynn and Ron (Emiko) Yamada. Grandmother of Donji T. Yamada-Dessert and Jacob "JT" Yamada. Sister-in-law of Jean Tomiko Urushima and Akiko Kato. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Due to Covid, there are no plans for services at this time.