Yoshiko Aho

Yoshiko Aho, 87, of Duluth MN died Friday morning, January 5, 2018 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Duluth. Yoshiko was born August 19, 1930 in Tokyo, Japan, the youngest of six children, to Ando Teinosuke and Fumi.  Yoshiko enjoyed a privileged childhood in prewar Japan then endured many harrowing experiences in Tokyo during WWII.   During the Korean War she met and married Matthew Hjalmer Aho, then stationed in Tokyo with the US Air Force.  With one son she came to the United States in 1955 to join Matt on the family farm in Mahtowa MN.  Yoshiko became a Minnesota farm wife, learning to can, milk cows, bake bread, host sauna night, as well as becoming the mother of three more children.  Yoshiko made many dear friends In Mahtowa and after moving to Duluth.  She was much admired and frequently a source of both amusement and amazement.  Fiercely independent and never content to be ordinary, she expressed an entrepreneurial spirit through her Christmas wreath business and Japanese imports.  Yoshiko also found great satisfaction at Jeno’s Lake Street factory in her final years of work.  Retired, she and Matt grew in their love of the North Shore and Gunflint Trail which they visited and fished as much as possible.  Yoshiko devotedly cared for Matt through his last years of life.  After his death in 1995 Yoshiko lived alone in the apartment overlooking the lake.  She was never lonely, grateful for the time to reflect and process her life experiences while cooking, reading and listening to classical music.  Yoshiko is survived by children, Phillip (Gail), St Louis MO; Janis (Al), Esko MN; David, Duluth; Richard (Nancy), Hermantown MN; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister Aiko, Tokyo JAPAN; and many beloved family members and friends.  Funeral Service will be 3PM, Tuesday, January 9, 2018, with visitation one-hour prior, in the Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd Street, Duluth, MN 55805.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555.