Helen Kokka Gee

Helen Kokka Gee, 82, died peacefully at home in Lawrence, Kansas on Friday, December 23, 2022, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.  Norman Gee, her devoted husband of 57 years, was at her side.

Born Helen Kieko Kokka on January 31, 1940, she was the eighth child and third daughter born to Satoru and Shizuye (Hoshino) Kokka in Watsonville, California.  Her parents, Japanese immigrants, raised ten children in Watsonville.  From 1942 to 1945 Helen and her family, along with tens of thousands of other Japanese Americans, were imprisoned in a concentration camp at Poston, Arizona, even as her oldest brother, Tommy, served with honor in the 442 ^nd Regimental Combat Team of the U.S. Army.

The Kokka family survived the incarceration and rebuilt their life in Watsonville, sending all their children to college.  Helen graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in zoology and taught high school biology at Richmond High School.  She married Norman Gee in Watsonville on June 27, 1965, and supported her husband through his graduate studies in fine arts.  When Norman accepted a one-year teaching position in the art department at the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1969, Helen remained in California and continued teaching.  In 1970, Norman’s position turned tenure-track; Helen left her career behind and joined him in Kansas.

Helen was a loving mother to her two children and was active with their schools and the community, frequently volunteering at the polls on election day.  Once her children were in middle school, she went to work as a grant’s administrator at Haskell Indian Nations University, and also worked in the Office of Minority Affairs at the University of Kansas.

Helen always spoke her mind and told it to you straight; her feisty spirit was much bigger than her four feet ten inches.  She was an avid mystery reader, a talented seamstress who made beautiful clothes, a huge Kansas basketball fan, a wonderful cook, and a generous hostess.  Family and friends will always remember her gentle nature, beautiful smile, liberal use of profanity, and how loved and welcome she made them feel.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three of her older brothers: Tameki Tommy Kokka, Norio Kokka, and Yoshimi Henry Kokka.  She is survived by her husband; her children Mikka Gee (J. Michael) Conway and Brian Christopher Gee; her siblings Misako Ohmura, Kuniko Shimoguchi, Haruo Kokka, Osami (Sam) Kokka, Hitoshi (John) Kokka, and Sumaye Arleen Cowan; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

No formal services are planned.  The family suggests memorials in Helen’s name to the Poston Community Alliance, 1902 Strayhorn Rd., Pleasant Hill, CA, 94523; contributions may be sent in the care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13 ^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.  The family is thankful for the many calls and notes of sympathy and support.