Pauline Elizabeth Kawamoto

Pauline Elizabeth (Graham) Kawamoto was born February 11, 1935 in Brooklyn, Iowa to Clyde and Elizabeth (Pidima) Graham. Pauline grew up on several farms outside of Brooklyn where there was no plumbing or electricity for quite some time. She learned early on to appreciate small things and the value of hard work. Pauline attended Country School until 6th grade before going to Town School in Brooklyn for 7th through 12th grade, graduating from Brooklyn High School in 1953. Upon graduation, Pauline attended secretarial school in Omaha. While completing her schooling and accepting a position at Mutual of Omaha, Pauline met John Kawamoto while both lived at Whitingham Manor (rooming house). They were married on October 24, 1954 during a time when marrying a person of a different race was illegal in Nebraska. Fortunately it was not illegal in Iowa, where they married at Pauline’s home church, First Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn. Pauline and John made their home in Omaha, where they raised their five children; Sheri, Kimi, Kathy, Judy, and Jim. Pauline was an avid gardener, and had an affinity for delphiniums, larkspurs, begonias, hollyhocks, lilies, tulips and geraniums. She stayed busy by crocheting, tracking genealogy, and putting together photo albums. She was active in a bowling league for several years, and most recently loved attending all of the grandchildren’s activities such as dance, musical performances, drumming, sports, and others. She will be remembered as a kind, caring, loving, faithful, strong, unassuming, non-judgemental and dependable woman. She loved going to dinner at Olive Garden, especially enjoying calamari, and was fond of saying “Love you 2 pieces” or “A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck”, or giving you three squeezes on your arm to let you know she loved you. Pauline was a 50+year member of First Presbyterian Church in Omaha, where she was active in Seekers Group, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Food Pantry, and taught Logos with her husband, John. Pauline cherished her time with family. From family vacations to numerous National Parks (she could pack for a family of seven in 3 suitcases!) to family gatherings such as Pidima Labor Day reunions, Kawamoto reunions, Fourth of July celebrations & fireworks at Uncle Mits and Auntie Eunice’s house, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, and New Year’s Day traditional Japanese celebrations with relatives and friends, as well as the many, many special family birthdays; family was everything to Pauline. Throughout her married life, Pauline showed the importance of family and faith. Whether it was attending church, having family dinner at 5:30 every night or writing letters to her mom every week (for decades!) And she continued that tradition with her daughters Kimi and Judy, writing letters to them every week when they moved away from Nebraska. Even small signs like turning a stamp upside down meant “I love you”. Pauline showed all those around her that family was her heart. Pauline died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones on Monday, December 6, 2021 at the age of 86 years, 9 months, and 23 days. She was preceded in death by her husband John, and daughters Kimi and Sheri Kawamoto. She is survived by her children; Kathy (Brian) Cowles of Omaha, Judy Kawamoto of West Chester, PA, and Jim (Susan) Kawamoto of Omaha. Grandchildren; Andrew Cowles, David (Lindsey) Cowles, Ginger Cowles, and Timothy, Jacob (Leah Jane), Elizabeth and Michael Kawamoto. Great granddaughters Nola and Scarlett Cowles with a great grandson on the way. Brother Edward (Judy) Graham of Cedar Rapids, IA, and their son Michael (Karen) Graham, and many other nieces and nephews. Memorial service 10:30 AM Saturday, First Presbyterian Church, 216 S. 34th St. Omaha. Visitation Friday from 5-7 PM at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn. Private interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorials to First Presbyterian Church, Omaha. To view a livestream of the memorial service, visit http://www.facebook.com/FirstPresbyterianChurchOmaha

Pauline Elizabeth Kawamoto

February 11, 1935 - December 6, 2021