Kiku (Imito) Toyozato Upchurch, age 90, passed away peacefully at her home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Monday, May 12, 2025. Born in Okinawa, Japan, in 1935 to Tama Urasaki and Yusho Toyozato, Kiku was a survivor of the Battle of Okinawa during her early childhood—an experience that shaped her enduring strength and resilience. She lived in Okinawa until she met and married her late husband, Miles Upchurch, in the 1950s. Together, they journeyed to the United States, living in Texas and New Jersey before settling in Comstock, Michigan, where she made her home for over 60 years. Kiku made that journey alongside her beloved younger sister, Mitsuko “Mitch” McNett, and the two supported each other as they built new lives in America. Kiku devoted herself to raising her family and was the heart of her home. Her spirited, outgoing nature was unmistakable—she was always talking, laughing, and sharing stories with anyone she met, whether a family member, close friend or a stranger in the grocery store. Food was her love language. Her home was a place where no one ever left hungry. Whether it was her homemade Japanese dishes—fried rangoons, egg rolls, and stir-fry noodles—or American favorites like cheesecake, ribs, and hamburgers, she delighted in preparing meals for others. Even a casual visit for coffee or tea meant you’d likely be treated to a spontaneous feast. She cherished hosting family gatherings and holidays, cooking enough food to feed an army. In spring and summer, she could often be found outside tending her vibrant garden filled with flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Kiku’s joyful presence, strong spirit, and unwavering generosity left a lasting impression on all who knew her. She reminded us to face life with a smile, humor, and resilience, no matter what it brings. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her loved ones. She is survived by her sisters Mitsuko (Gerald) McNett and Kiyoko Yonaha; her son David (Teri) Upchurch and daughter Linda (Ron) Rowlson; grandchildren Josh (Kristy) Brady, Emily Upchurch, and Kaylee Rowlson (Joshua Place); great-grandchildren Miles & Kennedy Brady and Gary Upchurch. She was preceded in death by her parents Tama Urasaki and Yusho Toyozato; her husband Miles E.O. Upchurch; her sisters Yoshiko and Sachiko; and her brothers Yuchiku, Yuyasu, and Saburo Toyozato; her granddaughter, Ashley Marie Upchurch.