Family
My family has a rich history and heritage in Minnesota and the City of St. Paul since the early 1900’s. As a first generation U.S. born Chinese-Japanese Asian American, our family beginnings started in the United States with my entrepreneurial Chinese grandfather immigrating into the city of St. Paul and pioneering Chinese cuisine in the Capital city during the roaring ‘30’s through the early 60’s! My father was an immigrant from China and served in the U.S. Air Force where he met and married my mother in Japan and returned with her and my sister to unite with grandfather and grandmother to begin our life and family in Minnesota. My father and two brothers have served over 50 years of combined military service in the U.S. Air force, Army, Navy, and National Guard. I graduate from the St. Paul public school system as a first generation Asian-American. I was the first college graduate in our family, attending the University of Minnesota, graduating from the College of Education.
As a woman career professional and working mom, I am very proud and blessed to have had the wonderful opportunity, insight, and experience to raising and caring for a blended family these past two decades. My husband Steve, works for Patterson Dental as an equipment specialist and loves bringing new technology to the dentists and serving the dental industry. Our son John, is an amazing athlete and scholar, lettering varsity in his first year as a football player for Eastview High School as well as tied 10th in the state out of 2000 students his first year in trap shooting. Mom Keiko hand made over 3,000 cranes in less than 90 days. Many were given to the local church as part of Easter Service. We love having her with us every day! The two oldest children, who I helped raise in those formulative pre-teen years are grown adults on successful career paths and growing their young families. Jesse (and Lori), Tracy (and Matt), and grandchild, Eli, live north of the Twin Cities. Jesse is an award winning graphic design artist. His work is becoming well recognized throughout the Twin Cities and recently named SEGD Minnesota Chapter Co-Chair. Jesse and Lori will be expecting their first born this coming Spring! Tracy just returned from a 3 month general management training program for Yard House, an exciting new restaurant and brewery concept unveiling at West End this Spring! Little Eli is our busy little 5 year old grandson and with our new grandson, Jasper on his way this Spring, we will be keeping busy and poised to seeing, shaping, and being centered front to the possibilities of the future for them and all children….as I have seen through my own experiences as a blended family.
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In closing, human relations is the most important part of family… It is the most important part of being people. We must teach this to the next generation and help them learn that our relationship with one another is the most important part of life, living, and community. We must take on the mindset and recognize the responsibility that all children are our children and need our help, love, support, and care as they are our future.