Eiko Kubota Toussaint's Obituary
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother, Eiko Kubota Toussaint who died on February 13, 2025 at the age of 98. She was born in Nagano-Ken, Japan on June 3, 1926.
After studying to become certified as a registered nurse, our mother was commissioned to join the American naval medical staff at the Yokosuka United States Naval Hospital. That is where she met our father, William Frank Toussaint, who was stationed in Japan during his service in the Korean Conflict.
Our parents were married in Japan in 1952. At the end of our father’s service, he and Mother returned to the United States and settled in Fairfield, Illinois. There, they labored together to run a successful dairy farm and raise three daughters. Our mother worked intensely with one major goal in mind, to enable her daughters the opportunity to complete a university degree. She was extremely resolute until her goal was met. Mother was very proud that all three of her daughters obtained their Masters Degrees.
After retiring from dairying, our parents remained on the farm until 1997 at which time their farmhouse was struck by lightning and burned. Our parents then sold the farm and moved to Charleston, Illinois, to be near daughter Audrey and her husband. Our father passed away in 2003 after which Mother lived on her own until she was no longer able to do so safely. At that time, she moved in with Audrey and Roy who devotedly and lovingly cared for her until her passing.
Our mother was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents Nobuo and Tsuneno Kubota, and seven siblings. She is survived by daughters Julia (Kevin) Felton of Hopkinsville, KY; Lois (Michael) Toussaint-Krutz of Napa, CA; and Audrey (Roy) Bachelder of Charleston, IL. She also leaves behind six grandchildren, Adam (Heather Dettro) Felton, Lindsey Felton, Adrian Krutz, Andrew (Arthy) Krutz, Elizabeth (Tom) Krutz-Bonia, Olivia (Jared) Krutz-Bouis, as well as seven great grandchildren.
Although shy, our mother was very courageous, determined, creative and hard working. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, was an amazing cook, enjoyed watching sports and she loved all children. We are so grateful and blessed to have had her for so long. We will miss her deeply as she joins our father in heaven.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 921 Madison Ave., Charleston, IL with Father Michael Berndt officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL on Monday, February 24, 2025. A rosary will be said at the start of the visitation. Burial will be on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Belleville, IL.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Willow Breeze Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice House, 1004 Health Center Drive, Suite 202, Mattoon, Illinois 61938.
To view the obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle, or share memories, please visit www.adamsfuneralchapel.com. Adams Funeral Chapel of Charleston, IL, is handling the arrangements.
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