Etsuko Y. Rael

Etsuko Yasuhara Rael, known affectionately as “Mimi” by family

and friends around her. The name Mimi was given to her by a

fellow military wife when she was stationed in Germany because

they had trouble pronouncing her name. Mimi Rael, age 87,

(Native of Japan became a Naturalized US Citizen in 1963) passed

away the night of October 4, 2022.

As a military wife she travelled frequently with her late husband

until finally settling down in El Paso. Mimi enjoyed playing bingo,

crochet, and jewelry shopping. While in her later age she had

time to enjoy her only two grandchildren and got to see them

become teenagers. She had a hard life growing up since the age of

10 years old and had no formal education. But through

perseverance and meeting of good friends she got through many

tough times.

She is survived by her only child and son, Victor Armando Rael

and daughter-in-law Beatrice Duran Rael, her grandson, Diego

and granddaughter, Isadora; She gathered many good friends

throughout her life and was treated like family and became family

to several of them (especially the Dagnino family).

She was preceded in death by several decades by her parents,

siblings, and in 2012 lost her husband SSG Jose “Joe” Rael. A

committal service will be at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast, El Paso,

Texas.