Hime Yamauchi Bland's Obituary
Hime Yamauchi Bland, 98, of University Place Washington, died January 18, 2023, at Bridgeport Place Assisted Living & Memory Care. She passed away as peacefully as she lived, attended by faithful and compassionate hospice and facility aides.
She was born January 5, 1925, in the Ogachi District of Akita Prefecture in Japan. As a young adult, Hime became a nurse in Japan and worked in an American Army Hospital.
She met her husband of 56 years during the period immediately following WWII. Hime and Gerald Bland were married in Tokyo on September 7, 1954. They had no children, but were beloved by a niece and nephews.
Hime and Gerald lived for two years in Okinawa, then moved to the U.S. in 1956. They resided for several decades in Graham, WA.
Hime obtained her certificate of educational competence from the State of Washington, and continued her career as a licensed practical nurse at Tacoma General Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup.
After her retirement from nursing, Hime earned her license as a Washington registered counselor and was employed by Asian Counseling Services. She was also a Red Cross Volunteer at the Japanese Senior meal site for many years.
When Gerald became ill with cancer in 2010, he and Hime moved to an apartment located next to their church, First Baptist Church of Lakewood. Hime taught the Japanese Sunday School class at FBC Lakewood and enjoyed multiple activities with her many friends. She particularly enjoyed the line-dancing classes at FBC Lakewood.
Hime was an avid artist and gardener. She loved flowers of all kinds, and painted many watercolors of flowers and birds.
Hime is survived by a nephew, Shoko Yamauchi of Japan; a niece, Amelia Bland Waller of Virginia; and a nephew and namesake of her husband, Gerald Christopher Bland of Virginia.
Visitation and funeral service were held at Mountain View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd, Lakewood WA, where Ms. Bland's body was subsequently interred with her husband.
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