Obituary of Laura Reiko Shellum-Koeck

Shellum-Koeck, Laura Reiko (Ito) age 86, of Richfield, passed away August 20, 2015. Preceded in death by parents, Keichi Ito and Jeannine Facio Ito; loving husband, Duane Shellum (1984). Reiko was born in Tokyo in the year of the Dragon. She survived WWII in Japan and moved to Minnesota in 1952 with her husband. Reiko lived her life through her passions, and became an accomplished dancer, artist, linguist, traveler, and teacher. She was a longtime volunteer at the Festival of Nations and founded the Minnihon Arts Center in 1973 to share her Japanese heritage with the people of Minnesota. Reiko was proud to be an ambassador from Minneapolis to sister city Ibaraki, Japan. She served as a Japanese cultural advisor to many schools, colleges and museums in the Twin Cities. Reiko never retired. She taught traditional Japanese dance, creative movement, ballet, and Sumi-e painting for her entire adult life. Reiko was the adored matriarch of her family. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She is survived by her five sons, Eric (Nancy), Richard, Kirk (Jill), Alec (Cindy), and George (Liz); brother, Jorge Ito, and sister, Mercedes Hernandez of Mexico City; husband, Eugene; 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A mass will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, August 27, 2015 with visitation one hour prior at St. Peters Church, 6730 Nicollet Ave. So., Richfield, MN. Luncheon to follow. Memorials preferred.