Fumiko 'Fumi' Exner, 94

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, Fumiko “Fumi” Exner, 94, passed away Sept. 30, 2025, at Hospice House of North Idaho. She was a longtime resident of Pinehurst, Idaho, with the last year living at the Life Care Center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

She was born Aug. 28, 1931, near Nagasaki, Japan. Fumi was the daughter of Gehechi and Toku Tasaki. She was born the eldest of six children and worked hard in the rice plantations and later in the fish factory and laundromat. She survived the Nagasaki bombing. She met Eugene Exner at the Sasebo Navy base, married, and came to the United States on Sept. 18, 1961. She later divorced and became a U.S. citizen, but it was here that her new life began with family and many friends. 

Fumi was a very kind and spunky lady. She loved everyone she met and could make you smile and laugh. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed cooking at the Silver Lounge, The Country Club, Good Samaritan Home and Gloria’s Steak House up the river, where she became well known for her Thursday night Oriental meal. She didn’t have much, but you could never leave her home without her cooking something for you to eat. She loved gardening and spent hours tending to it every day. She took great pride in her tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, squash and flower garden. She loved spending time with her family and friends and playing BINGO was her passion. She would hitch a ride with whomever, wherever and through any blizzard just to make it to the BINGO hall. It became a tradition that after every holiday meal, we had to play BINGO with Mom. She was very competitive and also very lucky. 

Fumi is survived by four children: Terri Exner of Lynnwood, Wash., Brenda (Marc) White of Pinehurst, Idaho, Jeff (Jill) Exner of Columbus, Mont., Melissa (Ray) Sansi of Pinehurst, Idaho; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; two sisters and numerous nieces and nephews in Japan. Fumi was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, a brother and a daughter. 

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Hospice House of North Idaho and The Life Care Center of Cd'A for the care and compassion they gave her. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Fumi to Hospice House of North Idaho, Life Care Center of Cd'A, your local food bank or simply perform an act of kindness. 

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Fumi’s life will be held and announced at a later date.