Mitsuko Irene Elmer

Mitsuko ‘Irene’ Elmer, 87, passed away early Thursday morning, August 3, 2017, in Kyle, Texas Irene was born on July 10, 1930 in Sendai, Japan, the oldest of 5 children of Akira Ito and Tsuru Saguchi. At 10 years of age, her mother passed away and she went to live with her grandmother. She graduated from high school in Sendai where she was known as the fastest runner in her school. After high school, she attended a seamstress school where she learned to sew clothing which provided a profession for her in later years. She later worked on the US Military base in Sendai where she met her future husband and companion of 64 years. Their journey together began on January 29, 1953. After moving to the US, she began raising a family of 3 boys, became a US citizen on April 2, 1958 and supported her husband in the Army. She worked as a seamstress for Gilberts in El Paso for many years and enjoyed her retirement years traveling North America with the Wally Baum Airstream Travel Club. She was also an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held many callings over the years. She was preceded in death by her parents Akira and Tsuru, brother, Siguru, sister, Ayako, daughter-in- law, Nona, son, Carl and beloved husband, Ed. She is survived by her brothers, Masau and Yukio, her sons, Edward and Tim, her daughter-in-laws, Jan and Terri, 15 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2017 from 5 pm to 6:30 pm, followed by a Funeral Service at 7 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 5510 Hondo Pass Drive, El Paso, Texas. Committal Service will take place on Friday, August 11, 2017 at 10 am at Fort Bliss National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest with her beloved husband. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to be made in her behalf to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.