Miyako Yamamoto

Miyako Yamamoto passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026, following ongoing health challenges. She was born on May 19, 1951, in Mizumaki, Fukuoka, Japan, to Shitsuka Oomori and Kunio Gondo, the youngest of eight children.

After graduating from high school, Miyako attended Tosu Dental Hygienist School in Japan and worked for more than ten years as a dental hygienist with dentists throughout Japan. During this time, she met and fell in love with her home teacher, Ryoichi “Roy” Yamamoto. They were married on Roy’s college graduation day, March 19, 1980, in Fukuoka, Japan, and were later sealed in the Tokyo Temple.

Throughout their marriage, Miyako was a devoted wife, mother, and tireless supporter of Roy’s dreams. While raising their family, she worked incredibly hard and made many sacrifices, always putting her loved ones first. After living in several places throughout Japan, the family moved to Ogden, Utah, in 1993 with their three young children so Roy could attend Weber State University.

Miyako was an exceptional homemaker who created a warm, welcoming home filled with love. In 2008, she and Roy opened Hanamaru Japanese Restaurant in Ogden. They ran the restaurant together for 17 years, just the two of them, truly as a team. Miyako loved cooking and took great pride in sharing her food with others. When her health became a concern, they made the difficult decision to temporarily close the restaurant so they could focus on Miyako and spend meaningful time together.

She loved traveling, road trips, and especially the time spent visiting and laughing with family along the way. Miyako had a quiet sense of humor—sometimes unintentional—but it brought smiles to those around her. Above all else, she cherished time with her granddaughter, finding her greatest joy when she was near.

Miyako was open-hearted, kind, and loving, though she could be stubborn at times—a trait that reflected her strength and determination.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Roy Yamamoto; her children, Yu Yamamoto, Yo Yamamoto (Sarah Kitchen), and Mai Yamamoto (Samet Baydar); her granddaughter, Grey Yamamoto; and her siblings, Aiko, Shigeko, Yufuko, and Nahoko.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Misako, Yukio, and Kiyoshi.

Private family services will be held. Arrangements are entrusted to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary.