Mitsuru "Mits" Saimo

Mitsuru Saimo, 89, of Missoula, passed away at St. Patrick Hospital Monday, April 14, 2014. He was born in Livingston on Oct. 6, 1924, one of six children of Katsuzo Saimo and Kin Kishiyama.

He attended school in Livingston and after graduation, joined the U.S. Army and served in WWII. After his honorable discharge, he met the love of his life, Violet Larson. They were married May 9, 1969.

He began an enjoyable career with Burlington Northern Railroad and did so until his retirement. He enjoyed photography, the Grizzlies and growing roses. He was so proud of his roses and everyone understood that you could look, but you could not cut.

He was proud of all of his accomplishments. He was also fiercely patriotic and proud of the country he served, as well as Burlington Northern for which he worked. When his children were young, they clearly understood that you always salute the American flag, and any passing BN train!

His siblings include Ritsu (Tatsu), Shig (Davden), Hifumi (Matsuko) and two sisters in Japan. He was preceded in death by his wife Violet Saimo, his parents as well as his in-laws, Flossie Davis and Richard Brunette.

He is survived by Violet's children, Randy, Rhonda, Loyd and Valarie Larson; grandchildren Rainy Naylor, Angie and Shawn Reardon, and Leon and Loren Larson; and great-grandchildren Jordan Johnson and David, Ethan and Lucas Naylor.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 18, at Garden City Funeral Home followed by burial with military honors at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery. A reception will follow back at the funeral home's community/reception room.
Read Mitsuru Saimo's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.