Duane 'Mino' Yamamoto Obituary DUANE MINORU YAMAMOTO Duane "Mino" Yamamoto, 90, was born on June 30,1934. His family embraced him with love and admiration as he peacefully passed away at home on February 17, 2025. Duane was born in Tacoma, Washington to Nobutaro and Shizu Yamamoto. He spent the first six years of his life in Tacoma, but was occasionally seen at his parents produce farm in the nearby small farming town of Fife, WA. Duane was seven years old in 1941 when he and his parents along with an older brother, Ronald and older sister, May, were forcibly relocated to the Japanese Internment camp in a hurriedly erected town, Hunt (now nonexistent), in Minidoka County in Southern Idaho. The stark contrast from lush green foliage to barren sage brush and lava rock was a shock to the senses. In 1943, a sister, Ruth was born. It was a time of struggle, hardship and uncertainty, but one met with resiliency and hope. In 1944, the family gained early release through sponsorship by his non-internee, maternal uncle living here in the Treasure Valley. Over the next several years, Duane's parents rented and moved from farm to farm. Landlords would terminate their lease to farm it themselves because of the improvements Nobutaro had made. In the winter of 1952, his parents were finally able to purchase a small 80-acre farm of their own in Kuna. When the snow began to melt, Nobutaro was alarmed at seeing so many rocks, which Duane subsequently spent years removing. By this time, the family had grown to include three younger siblings aged nine, seven and five. Duane graduated from Nampa High School in 1952 and attended the College of Idaho with a scholastic scholarship. Helping his father on the farm required hours that didnt allow sufficient time for studies, so after two years his focus changed, and he began his 65+ years long career of farming, which eventually led to him taking over the family farm of 80 acres. Duane met his wife, Judy Okamura, through a friend. At the time she was working as a registered nurse in Salt Lake City, Utah. Shortly after their engagement, she moved to Nampa where she continued working at Mercy Hospital. They were married on January 20, 1968, in Pocatello, Idaho. In 1970, they purchased their first home four months before their first child and daughter, Kristine was born. In 1973 their second daughter, Tricia was born and in 1975 son, Bryce. They lived in town next to Zamzows for 40 years, with their children graduating from high school and college. In 2011 they moved out of town into the house they built on one of their farms on Hubbard Road. This 80-acre farm had been leased for 20 years beginning in 1952 until Duane became owner in 1973. Duane was hardworking and envisioned enlarging the farms operation long before 1973, in part to make sure he could provide for family. In 1962, he purchased a large parcel of "native ground" (sage brush & lava rock) south of Kuna from a private individual. It required Herculean amounts of work and time to bring it to a productive state. In 1970 he began leasing additional "native ground" from the Bureau of Land Management. It was a repeat of the efforts in 1962. After a number of years, Duane began a complicated and long process to purchase the property involving a three-way trade between the Nature Conservancy and Bureau of Land Management. In 1993 his efforts were rewarded, with him being deeded as owner, bringing the total number of acres on that farm to 840. To this day it is referred to as "the desert farm". Duane also rented various properties in the area over the years, farming as many as 1,300 acres. Duane was heavily involved in the agriculture community, which he saw as an opportunity for both acquiring and sharing knowledge that would benefit him and his fellow farmers. To that end he served on boards of Farm Home Administration, Soil Conservation Service, Boise-Kuna Irrigation District, Idaho department of Water Resources, and USDA Farm Services. Duane also believed in the Kuna community and its citizens. His work ethic, integrity and friendly manner appealed to many, and he was approached to run for the office of mayor in 1976, which he won. Over the term of his four years, several projects were completed; Main Street board walks were replaced with concrete, the Senior Citizens Center built, a city park installed, and the water system upgraded. Being mayor was an all-in-one job; sometimes even being the dog catcher, all for the lucrative salary of $200 a month! When asked to seek re-election, he declined. It was a once-in-a-lifetime and valuable learning experience, but the demands of the farm were too great. By 2007, Kunas population was growing and the number of school age children rapidly increasing. Considered to be established leaders in the community, Duane, Judy and Lavar and Wilma Thornton became founding co-chairs of the Capital Campaign Committee for the purpose of creating an after-school Boys and Girls program and raising funds to build a facility. Fast forward to July 12, 2024, the day the first and only built-new Boys & Girls Club of Ada County celebrated its grand opening. Duane also supported local youth in other ways; beginning with 4H then FFA 41 years ago when Kristy began showing livestock. He believed these programs were the backbone for future farmers and supported students in both Ada and Canyon County by purchasing their livestock projects at local fairs and faithfully supporting Kunas FFA yearly auction. In 2018 he received an Honorary State FFA Degree from The Idaho FFA Association for his service and support. Beyond local youth, Duane served the larger community by joining the Kuna Lions Club in the early 1970s, and through his years of community service, was granted Life Membership by the International Board of Directors. He was the oldest serving member of the Kuna chapter. Duane was also a long-time member of the Boise Valley Japanese American Citizens League. Until his passing, he and Ruth were two of very few remaining "survivors" of Minidoka, in Idaho. Duane is survived by his wife, Judy; daughters, Kristine Yamamoto of Austin, TX; Tricia (Chad) Waters of Boise, ID; son, Bryce of Kuna; sister, Ruth (Bill) Farner of Meridian, ID; and grandsons Kaid and Kamden (Tricia). He was predeceased by infant daughter, Stephanie; parents, Nobutaro and Shizu Yamamoto; brothers Ronald (Jane) and Koji/Harvey (Karen) Yamamoto of Reno, NV.; sisters, Marsha (Mike) Gragg and May Howland of Boise, ID. The family would like to thank the care giving agencies and employees of Bright Star and Visiting Angels for the attentive care they gave Duane. To Keystone Hospice, Thank You, for the support and skilled care Duane received through his long journey. Special gratitude is extended to Ray Nebeker, a dedicated and trusted employee and friend of 56 years who has become an extension of the family. Viewing will be 4:00-7:00pm, Monday, February 24 at Nampa Funeral Home-Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Ave S, Nampa. A private family burial will occur at the Kuna Cemetery, 1321 W. Boise St., preceding a celebration of Life at the Nampa Civic Center at 1:00 pm Tuesday February 25,, 2025 The celebration will include a luncheon immediately following at 2:30 pm at the Nampa Civic Center, 311 3rd St S, Nampa. In lieu of flowers and koden, memorials can be made and sent to; Friends of Minidoka, PO Box 1085, Twin Falls, ID 83303, or www.minidoka.org/donate. Services Visitation Monday February 24, 2025 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Nampa Funeral Home 415 12th Ave. So. Nampa, Idaho 83651 Celebration of Life Tuesday February 25, 2025 1:00 PM Nampa Civic Center 311 3rd Street Nampa , Idaho 83651