Josephine Herrera Yamaguchi rejoined her soulmate on August 21, 2020, to start riding that Harley once again. Steve has been waiting patiently for nearly 16 years to hold her again. He probably can’t stop bear-hugging her and she probably can’t stop kissing those big lips that she has missed for so long.
Josie began her feisty life on this earth on October 18, 1944. She was born in Chamisal, NM to Flavio Herrera and Sarah Martinez. Josie was the first born child of 11 children. She grew up in Hiawatha, UT where she enjoyed getting revenge on the neighborhood bully kids and apparently also enjoyed terrorizing her brother Roy and sister Terrie.
She attended Carbon High School and graduated in 1962. She worked at Koret as a seamstress, Mountain Bell as a telephone operator, K-Mart, and Castleview Hospital in the billing department for 34 years. She retired in 2013.
Josie was an exceptional cook and baker. Her specialties included homemade tortillas, chicken enchiladas, sweet and sour pork, Hungarian cookies and various hand-dipped chocolates. She often spent the holidays making chocolates with her sisters for the family to enjoy. Cooking and baking were her passion. Oftentimes she gifted plates of handmade goodies to various family and friends which made her feel so special.
Josie often said the best thing she had were her two children, Flavio Steven Espinoza and Nikki Vasquez. Josie supported her children in every way imaginable and worked tirelessly to be able to support her kids in any way she could. She often gloated about her children’s accomplishments to anyone who would listen. She had a large extended family with multiple nieces and nephews who affectionately called her “Grandma Jo.” She was always so proud of her nieces and nephews whose accomplishments, birthdays, graduations and weddings she supported throughout the years. Weddings for her daughter and nieces were especially meaningful for her. She wanted to make sure they had something special and sentimental, so she would hand crochet beautiful wedding dresses for display that matched the wedding dress of the bride. They had to be as perfect as the bride and she wouldn’t settle for anything less.
Her knight in shining armor or her 250-pound Japanese, as the terms were interchangeable for her, swept her off her feet in 1993. He rode a Harley, had big lips and literally wore rose colored glasses; he was perfect. She was as proud to be on his arm as he was to have her there. They spent many weekends with various friends riding their Harley and living life. They were even able to take a trip to Sturgis, South Dakota in 1998. Her favorite sound in the world was the revving engine of Steve’s Harley and even recently would get excited when she heard the sound of a bike, but she would be sure to point out if it wasn’t a Harley because she knew the difference. They married October 16, 2004 in Price, UT with tons of family and friends there to show their support. The love that Steve and Josie shared and the way they looked at each other was undeniable; it was true love.
Her greatest joy came when she had grandbabies. There was nothing that would stop her from being there for the birth of her grandkids. She even drove to Logan by herself, twice, to make sure she was there to welcome the youngest two into this world. She hand-crocheted Gabby’s baptism dress and cross -stitched various keepsakes for her babies. She was able to travel with her babies to Disneyland and SeaWorld and spoiled them rotten while they were there. One of her favorite things to do was to make various treats for her babies, but she had to be cunning because her daughter limited too many sweets. She went on covert operations with her babies when she would babysit for the weekend to ensure they got to have some of Grammy Yami’s special treats. She ensured parents were out of town, loaded up Gabby to run to her house to pick up the goodies, and returned the evidence back home before the weekend was over. She would tell the babies, “Don’t tell your mom!” They didn’t.
Celsa, Josephine, Josie, Grandma Jo, Grammy Yami, Sweetheart or Mom; whatever name you knew her by she touched the hearts of so many. You will be dearly missed by everyone who knew you. Enjoy your ride with Steve!
Josie is survived by her children, Flavio Steven Espinoza and Nikki (John) Vasquez; four grandchildren, Gabrielle Vasquez, Adrian Vasquez, Julian Vasquez, and Cristiano Vasquez; siblings, Terrie (Lee) Tweddell, Ernie Herrera, Tommy (Elaine) Herrera, Dave (Melissa) Herrera, and Toni (Bill) Thayn; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her soulmate, Yoneo Steve Yamaguchi; parents, Flavio and Sarah Herrera; brothers, Roy Herrera, Gene Herrera, Joseph Herrera; and sisters, Mary Helen Herrera and Mary Linda Herrera.
Vigil service, August 27, 2020, 7:00 p.m., Mitchell Funeral Home, Price, UT. Funeral mass, Friday, August 28, 2020, 10:00 a.m., Notre Dame Hope Center, 185 North Carbon Avenue, Price, Utah. Interment, Price City Cemetery. Vigil services are open to the public. Mass services will be open to family only.
Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome and may share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhom.net.