Ikuko "Cookie" Takeshita was born in Alameda, California, where father was on the board of directors of the Alameda Buddhist Temple. During World War II, removed with family to the Merced Assembly Center, California, and the Amache concentration camp, Colorado. After the war, returned to Alameda.

Nisei female. Born April 1, 1929, in Alameda, California. Grew up in Alameda, where father ran a gardening business. During World War II, family was ordered to leave Alameda and moved to Cortez, California, before being sent to the Merced Assembly Center, California, and the Amache concentration camp, Colorado. Left camp to attend school in Cleveland, …