October 20, 1941 - February 28, 2023

Kristopher “Kris” M. Mikami (née Van Leuven) entered the world 5 minutes after her sister Karin, to Karl and Hallie (née Couch) Van Leuven on October 20, 1941 in Los Angeles. Early on February 28, 2023, Kris broke her earthly tethers and joined her husband Kai Mikami.

She began her childhood in LA (Studio City), playing in the orange orchards, “borrowing” a neighbor’s horse for a ride with the help of a dress sash, in the house that grew and grew. In the summer of 1950 her parents moved the family to Grosse Point Michigan, which included swim team (long distance), ice skating rinks in the backyard, or flooding their dad’s backyard construction project. They returned to California her junior year, where she and Karin commuted to school in their Model A Ford named Dora, they graduated from La Jolla High School in 1959.

Her mother, a former school teacher, instilled a thirst for knowledge with their many road trips to points of interest and history, including a week skipping school to participate in the Opera with her sister.

After graduating from high school, she was one of a handful of women who entered the Architecture program at UC Berkeley, which was met with skepticism. Not to let anyone down, she proceeded to graduate in 1967 with a degree in Anthropology from Cal State Hayward. The family moved to Seattle so mom could pursue her Masters and PhD in Anthropology at the University of Washington. She was most proud to be one of the first graduates of enology “wine” school at South Seattle Community College.

She met the love of her life, her “gentle” man, Kai at a party by asking him to dance, within the month a proposal was made and their 6 month engagement led to marriage in 1962. They added Kish to the family a year later (dashing speculation for the speedy engagement & wedding). After moving to Seattle Matthew joined the family and soon after Josh arrived.

She had a varied work career – working for Ma Bell (laid off due to being pregnant). She was a Asst/Assoc. Professor at the UW; followed by working for SRI (the impact of subsidizing low income families), all the while pursuing her degrees and raising a family. While working at CDS, she was one of a team who were integral in establishing Everett as a potential candidate for a new Navel Port, identifying it as a natural deep water port (which included a mock up and building ship models). So what does one do with an anthropology degree in Silicon Sound, you begin working in the computer industry of course..Kai’s job took them to San Diego in the early ‘80’s, where she honed her marketing and sales skills. After their sons graduated from Pt. Loma High School, they returned to Seattle where she worked for ADIC, marketing and sales of computer tape backup units which as we know continued to morph to newer technology, and even taking her and Kai to Paris for a few years at the turn of the century (Y2K), where they did many a side trip and deepening their love of a wine. “Type or Cost doesn’t matter, all that matters is that you like it.” She finished her career working in the wine compliance business, assisting small wineries, hmmm, was that an excuse to go taste wine?

It gives us comfort to know she is joining family and friends who proceeded her in a friendly (or not) game of bridge, penny ante poker, gin rummy or dominoes (possibly sneaking a peak at your hand – “chest your cards, a peak is worth one finesse,” one of her more infamous sayings), with either a glass of wine, Makers Mark or one of Dad’s scratch margaritas in hand. Possibly what is sitting with Alex Trebek to discuss that final Jeopardy question. Maybe grabbing a plate at one of her many dinner groups – church, the hummingbirds or the Brown house gang… Hosting many a holiday meal with our extended “Family.” Preparing for and cooking for the decades of celebrations of Mochi Pounding or Japanese New Year’s, or what became the annual combined celebration with the Kawasaki’s. Her love of music included listening to opera on Sunday mornings, or it could be classical, jazz, blues, rock, and country and she is likely attempting to entice Kai to dance. Playing the piano, or joining that ever growing choir with her “filler” voice. Maybe even running for precinct chairperson, or stumping in politics, does that exist in the hereafter? Kicking a soccer ball, or refereeing a game or two with Kai. We know she will be participating in many a conversation regarding politics, movies, music, books and looking for that reference book to back up her opinion…

She joins her parents, husband Kai, sisters Karin and Hallie, brother Pieter, in-laws Erabu “Charles,” Mifuye, Harry, Hiroko, and Dean. She is survived by her daughter Kish (Craig) Lindberg, sons Matthew (Hollie) and Josh (Lisa). Grandchildren, Ayden, Orion, Everly, Jakob and Zeke. Siblings Karl (Trudy) and Hendrik (Paula), sisters-in-law Penny, June (Frank), Maureen and many nieces & nephews.

Obituaries

Kristopher “Kris” M. Mikami

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