Hideko Shioshita Obituary

Hideko “Deko” (Ashida) Shioshita, age 97, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2025, in La Junta, CO. Throughout her lifetime, Deko maintained her faith, kindness, grace, compassion, and appreciation for the world around her. She was thankful for the love of her family and friends and for her long life, full of wonderful and varied experiences.

She was born at home on February 25, 1928, in Ordway, CO, the sixth of thirteen children born to Eiroku and Toki (Yuto) Ashida. As a child living through the Depression, Deko’s strong sense of family and fortitude was forged . . . traits that she embraced her entire life.

Deko is survived by her son Barry (Lynn) Shioshita, daughter Robin Shioshita; grandchildren Josh (Aubrey) Shioshita, Jordan (Shyla) Shioshita, Jarett Shioshita, Connor Shioshita Pickett, Cailin Shioshita Pickett; and great-granddaughter Naomi Lynn Shioshita. She is also survived by her sister Judy (Joe) Chamberlin, brother Henry Ashida; sisters-in-law Helen Ashida and Jane Shioshita; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kiyoshi Kay Shioshita; daughter Candice Kay Shioshita; parents Eiroku and Toki Ashida; brothers Hideo, Nobe, George, Tom, Sam, James, Lucky, and Kazu Ashida; sisters Mary Ashida and Rose Wilson; parents-in-law Seichiro “George” and Yei Shioshita; brothers-in-law Jack Wilson, Ken Shioshita, Den Shioshita, Ted Shioshita and John Kondo; sisters-in-law Amy (Hideo) Ashida, Kathleen (Nobe) Ashida, Lila (Sam) Ashida, Tay (John) Kondo, and Jane (Ted) Shioshita.

After graduating from Crowley High School in 1946, Deko studied and worked for a time in Colorado Springs before moving back to the Arkansas Valley. Here, she found employment as a nurse’s aide at the Physician’s Hospital in Rocky Ford. Deko’s free time was spent with her brothers and sisters visiting friends, attending dances, and going to baseball games.

Her brothers played on a team that challenged teams from other communities. A game was scheduled with a team in Blanca, and while on that road trip, she met the love of her life, Kay Shioshita. Kay and Deko were married on December 12, 1950, in Raton, New Mexico, and celebrated sixty-seven years of marriage before his death on December 18, 2017.

Family was important, and Deko loved going to her children’s activities. She never missed a concert, school carnival or athletic event. She served on PTA committees, led 4-H groups, and was her children’s greatest supporter.

Deko was employed by the Sierra Grande School district for seventeen years, retiring in 1988. Her time spent with the students was the highlight of her day. However, retirement did not mean that she became a lady of leisure. She remained active in the Calvary Blanca Church and was a member of the Colorado Rural Carriers Association Auxiliary, the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, and Friends of the Fort Museum. Deko also volunteered at the San Luis Valley Medical Center as a Red Cross Gray Lady and assisted with the Senior Meals Program at the Blanca/Fort Garland Community Center.

In 2000, she was named one of the San Luis Valley’s “Women of the Year.” Her spirit of volunteerism wasn’t about accolades or honors; it was about giving back and helping people. She was a fixture at “Tea Time at the Fort,” and enjoyed fellowship and food with the ladies of the community.

In recent years, Deko needed to be closer to family, and she relocated to the Evergreen Gardens assisted living facility in La Junta in July 2021. She was able to flourish and socialize in a safe environment where she formed new friendships with residents and the Evergreen staff. There, she was able to enjoy her love of reading, bingo, art classes, and visits with her family and friends.

Writing about the tapestry of life, and how important family and faith are, she noted how she tried to follow these “weaving” instructions: “Love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27.

Deko will be greatly missed, but her legacy continues through her children, grandchildren, great granddaughter, family and friends, and the people she touched throughout the entirety of her life.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Deko’s life on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel in La Junta. Private interment will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.