Obituary of Kathi Lynn Watanabe

Ms. Kathi Lynn Watanabe of Carson City, Nevada and former resident of Lodi passed away unexpectedly Sunday March 4, 2007 in a Carson City Hospital at the age of 49. Ms. Watanabe was born January 30, 1958 in Lodi, California to Kazuto and Jane Watanabe. Kathi worked as an office manager for Coldwell Banker Real Estate Firm as well as their Regional Office both in Carson City, Nevada for the past 11 years. She attended and graduated from Tokay High School Class of 1976, where she participated in the girl's volleyball, basketball, and softball teams. She was a California Scholarship Federation Sealbearer and received the 1st Elvera Melby Award for ?Outstanding Female Athlete.? She attended the Lodi Buddhist Temple for many years, and was actively involved in the 4-H program, where she raised market lambs to show and sell at the San Joaquin County Fair and was also active in the Lodi Girl Scouts. Kathi was an avid sports fan, especially of the Oakland Raiders, and enjoyed bowing and spending time with family and friends. She will be best remembered as a loving and caring companion, daughter, sister, aunt, niece and friend. She will be sadly missed. She is survived long time companion Joseph Podolski of Carson City, NV, his 2 daughters, Mary Luebbert of Galt; Carole Wagner of Wheatfield, IN; her mother Jane Watanabe of Lodi; a brother Robert Watanabe and wife Jackie of Lodi; a nephew Craig Watanabe of Lodi; a niece Monique Watanabe of Lodi; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father Kazuto Watanabe. A memorial service will be held Sunday March 11, 2007, 3:00pm at the Lodi Buddhist Temple, followed by a private interment at Cherokee Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday and Friday 12:00-8:00pm at the Lodi Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Lodi Buddhist Temple 23 N. Stockton St. Lodi, CA 95240, or to the donor's choice.