Hiroko "Yoshi" Yoshida

Hiroko Yoshida ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Krause Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Inc. - Brookfield on Mar. 13, 2026.*Please scroll down for links to upload photos and videos of Yoshi on Memento: We will use these to share memories at the memorial. We have also included a link for those who wish to extend their kind intentions/support to the Gable family** Momento * ****Our hearts are broken as we share that Hiroko "Yoshi" Yoshida passed away unexpectedly on March 9, 2026. She is survived by her husband of thirteen years, Joshua Gable, and their two beautiful children, Hannah and Kent, whom she loved above all else.A brilliant, accomplished and passionate woman of the world, Yoshi's absence will be felt in communities around the world. She was born in Japan, moved to the Midwest to attend university, then was offered opportunities to live and study or work in China, Costa Rica, and Denmark.As Yoshi pursued her love of science and engineering, the seeds of another love were planted in Madison, Wisconsin. Those roots eventually took hold in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where she has lived and raised her family for the last eleven years.Yoshi cared deeply about making Wisconsin a welcoming place for all visiting from Japan. She especially loved hosting friends and newcomers with a heartfelt welcome, serving a blend of Japanese and Wisconsin cuisine. She put her spin on the traditional Wisconsin fish-fry, complete with karaage and tempura.Even as a busy working mom, Hiroko made time to share her love of learning with future generations weekly, where she taught at Doyokai (Japanese Saturday School) in Milwaukee. But she also loved an impromptu science lesson whenever and wherever she was, and you could find no better companion for an educational excursion into nature.Yoshi cared deeply about making the world a better place, and she leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come.Hiroko is survived by her husband Joshua Gable, daughter Hannah, son Kent, parents (father Kiichi and mother Yuriko Yoshida), grandmother Fumi Yoshida, Ueta family (sister Yukiko, brother-in-law Akira and nephew Sakutarou), Kawasaki family (sister Kyoko, brother-in-law Takashi, niece Rin, niece Rei), parents-in-law (mother-in-law Diane, father-in-law Jeffry and mother-in-law (2nd) Julie), grandparents-in-law (grandfather-in-law Larry and grandmother-in-law Carol Gable) and Kocinski family (sister-in-law Amber, brother-in-law Dylan, nephew Joziah, niece Emslee and nephew Ezra).***Hiroko was born near Tokyo, Japan, on December 4, 1984, to Yoshida Kiichi and Yuriko and raised in Shinagawa, Tokyo, where much of her family still lives. She shared fond memories of her childhood, working in her aunt's flower shop and accompanying her dad to the office at Japan Railway on Saturdays. She was very proud of her father for his professional work and her mother for managing the chaos of raising three girls while also taking care of family elders. Hiroko also often talked about her "cram school" or "Tetsuyokukai" where she made some very great friends who she kept up with throughout the years.After high school, Yoshi moved to the United States to complete her undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Yoshi worked hard (as she always did) adjusting to the American lifestyle, learning to speak English fluently, and of course, making so many great friends along the way. Also, during this time, she managed to complete two separate study abroad programs in Wuhan, China, and in Costa Rica. Yoshi then completed her master's degree at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in Environmental Sciences and Environmental Engineering.She always found a way to have a vibrant social life while concurrently studying and excelling academically. She was an active member of "Greasy Gears", a bicycle dance troupe, and a fantastic study buddy to many. She really enjoyed the community within the Gaylord Nelson School of Environmental Studies, and she also loved to attend "Science on Tap," which combined learning about environmental research and having a few beers… a very Madison experience. She taught biology as an intern and later in life would sometimes talk about the "Fear Factor" portion of her class, where she would challenge her students to eat some type of prepared insect…She certainly knew how to get students in the door of an 8 a.m. class!While in Madison, she met her now husband, Josh. The two met in Wastewater Treatment Plant Design Class taught by Jae Park. After completing the course, they both actively participated in the AWWA (American Waterworks Association) & WEF (Water Environment Association) Student Chapters, Clubs, and in the WEF Student design competition, for which they and a close group of friends formed "Team Organic Magic". Hiroko and Josh continued their friendship, and it slowly blossomed into more. As Hiroko was preparing to finish her master's degree from Madison, the two were inseparable. However, love would have to wait for science as Hiroko was awarded an excellent opportunity to pursue a PhD in Environmental Engineering in Copenhagen at Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU).Hiroko and Josh decided, as she left for Denmark, that they would continue their relationship across the Atlantic. While it was certainly challenging, their commitment to each other endured. Josh visited Hiroko in Copenhagen regularly during her five years there, where they saw and explored many parts of Europe hand in hand.In her five years in Denmark, Hiroko, as everywhere else she went, made many friends, of whom many remain in Denmark today. Hiroko lived and loved the Copenhagen lifestyle, biking to work, riding the trains, going for picnics, and meeting friends at cafes on the Strøget (a famous walking street). Her core group of program friends would regularly get together on Fridays in the office for "Friday Bar" and often end the night talking about life and being goofy on the "bridge"(a popular spot at the Lakes in Copenhagen between Nørreport and Nørrebro).During her time at DTU, Hiroko authored & co-authored a dozen technical articles, something she rightfully took great pride in. In 2025 alone, her PhD work had been cited in new research 79 times.While Yoshi was still hard at work on her thesis at DTU, she decided it was time to solidify her love for Josh. The two were wed in a beautiful traditional Japanese ceremony at the home of her parents in Shinagawa, Tokyo. She was truly a radiant beauty, and her husband, a very lucky man.The year thereafter, Hiroko returned to Wisconsin with Josh. Here they welcomed their first child, Hanako "Hannah." Three years later came their second child, Kento "Kent." Hiroko was such a loving mother, and she prioritized her children over everything. She always encouraged exploration of the natural world, which Wisconsin provided ample opportunity for, while also teaching them about their Japanese culture & language.Her love of the natural world included its delicious bounty of plants and animals. As a wife and mother, she redirected that passion to the kitchen, where she regularly made three-course meals appear out of thin air. Ever the conservationalist, she encouraged her husband to maintain his sustainable means of acquiring and processing wild game. As a couple, this was a culinary experience they enjoyed sharing with many visitors from Japan and beyond over their years living in Kenosha.Even as her family grew, Yoshi maintained her professional career. She led many research & development initiatives, finding unique ways to answer difficult questions that most would not even know where to begin.Most recently, Hiroko was a remote employee for Eastern Research Group of Boston, Massachusetts. She enjoyed her time there very much, often working with small underfunded municipal utilities, aiding in obtaining federal funds for the implementation of critical improvements. This would lead to the mitigation of wastewater pollution and drinking water contamination in these underserved areas of the USA. The world is truly a safer place because of Yoshi.In Berlin, Wisconsin, Hiroko, Josh, and the kids worked every spring, planting thousands of trees over the last six years and creating the beginnings of an Oak Savannah Prairie. It was also mostly in Berlin that Hiroko spent many quality hours with Josh's family, whom she also cared for deeply.Hiroko, Josh and their children travelled regularly to Japan to visit family, and believe deeply in continuing to embrace their culture and connection to Japan and Tokyo. Yoshi and Josh also made a point of travelling and exploring the world as much as possible. The family's most recent trip was to Hawaii, where many of Hiroko's favorite things in life all came together: family, geology, seafood, astronomy, biology, and even wastewater. (As it turned out, she had work projects on the Big Island as well.)Some of the kids' fondest memories of their Mom include her warm and loving embrace, sharing a bed with her when Dad was out of town for work, her loud and excited yelps when they convinced her to go down a water slide, having family game time, and getting to see both Mom's silly and competitive sides.Hiroko's passing leaves a huge void in our lives and in the world. Her life was far too short, but she accomplished and impacted so much during her time here.Through her contributions to society and her children, her legacy will live on. Please help us to remember Hiroko "Yoshi" Yoshida in the best way possible as we celebrate her life on March 27, 2026. A light meal and refreshments will be served, providing an additional opportunity to share memories of Yoshi:The Turn Bar & Grillat the Wanaki Golf CourseN50W20830 Lisbon Rd,Menomonee Falls, WI 53051If you have photos you would like to share with attendees & family of the upcoming memorial service, please upload them here:https://albums.memento.com/YoshiForever/viewIf you wish to support to the Gable Family and particularly Hannah & Kent, donations can be made here:https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-yoshis-family" Important Updates for Celebration of Life Details:*Celebration Attire: We plan to celebrate Yoshi's life the way she would have liked-think classy, but comfortable, vintage if you feel up to it, skip the all-black if you like, and feel free to top it off with your best hat.*Please add photos to Memento by Saturday 3/21 so they can be incorporated into the Celebration.English name (Shimei)Name in Kanji/Kata kanaRelationship (Zokugara) (Zokugara)RelationshipHiroko Yoshida (Honnin)Joshua GableHusband (Otto) Hannah Gable (Yo shida)Daughter (Musume)Kent Gable (Yoshida)Son (Musuko)Kiichi YoshidaFather (Chichi)Yuriko YoshidaMother (Haha)Fumi YoshidaGrandmother (Sobo)Yukiko UetaSister (Ane)Akira UetaBrother- in-law (Gikei)Sakutarou UetaNephew (Oi)Kyoko KawasakiSister (Ane)Takashi KawasakiBrother- in-law (Gikei)Rin KawasakiNiece (Mei)Rei KawasakiNiece (Mei)Diane Gable Mother-in-law (Gibo)Jeffry Gable Father-in-law (Gifu)Julie Gable Mother-in-law (2nd) (Keibo)Larry Gable Grandfather-in-law (Gisofu)Carol Gable Grandmother-in-law (Gisobo)Amber Kocinski Sister-in-law (Gimai)Dylan Kocinski Brother-in-law (Gitei)Joziah Kocinski Nephew (Oi)Emslee Kocinski Niece (Mei)Ezra Kocinski Nephew (Oi)*** JR Greasy Gears Science on Tap AWWA WEF DTU PhD DTU Hannah Kent Eastern Research Group) ".The Turn Bar & Grillat the Wanaki Golf CourseN50W20830 Lisbon Rd,Menomonee Falls, WI 53051https://albums.memento.com/YoshiForever/viewhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-yoshis-familyVisitation at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield on Friday, March 27, 2026 from 2:00 PM – 5:45 PM. Service at 6:00 PM. "* * ** ** MementoTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.