Joseph Takenaka

Visitation: Family will receive friends on Friday, March 23, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Funeral services: Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Interment: will follow in the Custer County Cemetery with full military honors provided by VFW Post 1579.

JosephTakenaka, age 84, of Miles City, Montana, passed away at Holy Rosary Extended Care on March 19, 2007 after a short illness.

Joseph was born in Miles City on June 3, 1922 to Kisaku and MinnieTakenaka. He was the youngest of three sons. The family lived in Thurlo, Montana where his father farmed for a living. In 1937, the family moved back to Miles City in order for Joe to attend high school. After graduating from CCDHS in 1941, Joe joined the U.S. Army where he served during WWII. Due to the Bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, the Japanese-Americans were unable to enlist in the regular Army so Joe enlisted in the 442nd Infantry Regiment, which were all Japanese American Servicemen. Their motto was Go For Broke and for the size of their division they were the most highly decorated unit in WWII. Joe was very proud of the fact that he was able to serve his country during this war.

On April 22, 1950, he married Thelma R. Martin and they lived in Miles City for all their married lives. From this marriage they had two daughters, Denise and Dianne. After the war, Joe was employed at the Milwaukee Railroad Roundhouse for nearly 20 years. He then was employed at the V.A. Hospital for a few years and after receiving his engineer and boilermaker license, he worked for the Holy Rosary Hospital until his retirement in 1985. Joe enjoyed fishing, gardening, reading, building projects and was a great cook! His greatest enjoyment in life was being near his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma, his parents, Kisaku and Minnie and one brother, Harry.

Joe is survived by two daughters: DeniseRohling and her husband Tom of North Richland Hills, TX and Dianne Meidinger and her husband Ken of Miles City, MT; two step-sons: Edmond Martin and his wife Helen and Marlowe Martin and his wife Diane; a brother Dan Takenaka and his wife Mildred all of Miles City, MT; thirteen grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 23, 2007 with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Custer County Cemetery. Should friends wish, condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.