Myrtle Edna Yokota

Myrtle Edna Rolfe Yokota, our loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away on August 28, 2025 due to a sudden illness surrounded by her two daughters and a niece.

Mom was born March 18,1932 in Pocatello, the oldest of four daughters to Wilbird “Webb” and Florence Edna Jones Rolfe. She not only grew up with her sisters but many, many cousins as well as her grandparents, uncles, and aunts that lived near them. The families used to go camping and fishing together during the summer.

She started her education at Washington Elementary School, then Franklin Junior High, and graduated from Pocatello High School in 1950. She also went to a business school during her Senior Year. In her later years, she went to Idaho State Vocational College and earned her Licensed Practical Nursing degree and later learned how to do data entry and key punching.

Mom met our Dad at Stephenson's King Pin Bowling Alley, when she was in high school. They were introduced by friends. They both loved to bowl and became good friends. They were married on July 1,1950 in Grand Junction, Colorado as they were not allowed to get married in the state of Idaho due to being of different races. They were accompanied by two good friends. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on March 17, 1979. To this union, there were three children born to them: Geri, Tricia, and Kevin.

She was a stay-at-home mom when the children were young. She worked at various jobs when they were in school. After obtaining her LPN license in 1962, she worked at the Bannock Memorial Hospital for 10 years as an LPN mainly in the nursery taking care of infants. After that she went to Idaho State University and became a key punch/data entry operator and initially worked at a local insurance company and then for Dad at Associated Food Stores. When he retired from Associated Food Stores, Mom decided to retire as well.

Mom loved to learn. In her senior years, she joined the New Knowledge Adventures Program for retired people offered by Idaho State University. She took many different classes. She also tried to stay active physically by taking aquacise classes and walking in the mall with Dad. She also loved to garden and had a green thumb. She loved to travel, especially to see her children and grandchildren. They were the highlight of her life, and she loved them unconditionally.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Yokota, her parents, Webb and Florence Rolfe, her baby sister Maida Marlene, and her in-laws, Roy and Sugi Yokota; her brothers-in­ law Max Green, Byron Karren, Deto Harada, and Ron Yokota; her sisters-in-law Yuki Harada and Merrie Yokota; three nephews and one niece: Steven Karren, Jeff Green, and Larry and Miki Harada.

She is survived by her children: Geri Yokota, Tricia Codding (Chris Green), and Kevin Yokota (Jerry). She also has eight grandchildren (David Marquez, Jesse Codding, Sara Dilse, Elliotte Codding, Jason Yokota, Janny York, Beau Yokota, and Jared Yokota); eighteen great­ grandchildren (Josh York, Paige Kellems, Alexis Callister, Sam Yokota, Isaac Yokota, Max Yokota, Olivia Dilse, Amelia Dilse, Kira Codding, Keani Codding, Kenzie Codding, Jennica Codding, Davin Codding, Grey Codding-Hughes, Oren Codding-Hughes, Samuel Marquez, Elizabeth Marquez, Benjamin Marquez) and three great-great-grandchildren (Griffin, Scottie, Logan) plus one on the way as well as many nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank the staff at Heritage Home Health & Hospice, especially Kristi who took compassionate and loving care of our mother and Caring Hearts for the excellent care they provided in her last days.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at the Sheppard Ward on 4775 Hawthorne Road in Chubbuck, Idaho. Viewings will be held from 6:00 0 8:00 pm on Friday, September 5 at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck, ID and prior to the service on Saturday at the church beginning at 10:00 am.  Interment service will be held at Restlawn Cemetery at 1520 S. 5th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho following the funeral service.

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