Obituary for

Miwako Shigaki (Tanaka)

September 24, 1935-October 1, 2024

On October 1, 2024, Miwako Shigaki peacefully went to be with the Lord. She is survived by her loving family. Daughter, Carole Shigaki, grandchildren Lauren, Alyson and Nicholas. Daughter, Nancy (Mark) Boerner, granddaughters Sarah and Jessica and two great grandchildren Miriama and Keila.

Miwa was born in Vancouver, Canada the youngest of 6 children. She grew up helping on the family farm raising vegetables and strawberries. After being evacuated to a relocation camp for 4 years during WWII, her family moved to Japan. At age 11, she had to learn the Japanese language and culture amidst intense prejudice against “foreigners”. At age 26 she relocated back to Vancouver with her parents where she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a Stephen Olford Crusade. She subsequently graduated from the Millar Memorial Bible Institute in Saskatchewan. 7 years after her conversion, she dedicated her life to be a missionary in Japan through the Far Eastern Gospel Crusade (now SEND).

Miwa served as a faithful missionary for 15 years, sharing the gospel with many in Japan and serving in many capacities. She met Jerry Shigaki in 1978 while visiting one of her missionary support churches in California, and they were married in 1982. Miwa spent the next 29 years as Jerry’s faithful wife until his passing in 2011. She has left us with a legacy of her love for the Lord, her love for others and unwavering faith in Jesus.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations in her name to Redeemer Bible Church in Temecula, California 92592.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 10:30 AM at the Redeemer Bible Church at 29775 Santiago Road, Temecula, CA 92595