Sep 8, 20213 min read

Frank & Miye Yoshitake: A Lifetime of Service

Updated: May 15

By Paige Norman

Frank (1916-2013) and Miye (nee’ Shiogi) (1923-2011) moved from the Beacon Hill area in Seattle to Redmond in summer of 1955, looking for ‘good soil’ and a place to call home.

Frank & Miye purchased land on Avondale Road, giving up some of the acreage when it was condemned by the government in order to build NIKE/Coast Guard housing. After building their home on the property, they built Sunset Gardens Nursery, a home for Frank’s parents, and the Lil’ Augusta Golf Course. Frank said Redmond was a welcoming and friendly locale, a ‘hub with spokes on a wheel’ leading to Kirkland, Bellevue, and other Eastside areas.

Lil’ Augusta Golf Course boasted a par 3, 18-hole course, beautifully landscaped with specimen and fruit trees throughout. It wasn't unusual for golfers to pick an apple, Asian pears, or berries while golfing. A pond on the property froze in the winter, providing memories of ice skating for classmates of Sharon’s.

As a self-educated landscape designer, Frank

accumulated much of his experience at Minidoka Relocation Camp outside of Jerome, Idaho. The 6 hole, par 23 course was cleared by hand; fairways covered in dirt and sagebrush and was completed in 1943.

After moving to the Eastside and building Lil’ Augusta, Frank’s name was attached as architect, builder, or landscape designer to a number of other local golf courses, including the Carnation Golf Course (now The Blue Heron Golf Club). Frank purchased the land for the Carnation course in October of 1966, opening the course to all in May of 1967. Charter memberships were sold at $300 per member, with members sharing in 25% of the profits, 15% reduction in green fees and offered exclusive starting times.

Frank & Miye raised daughters Teresa (Hall), Sharon (Gilbert), and Linda (Hussey) in Redmond; all three girls attended Redmond schools and participated in Girl Scouts. Miye was appointed to the first Redmond Parks & Recreation Board for the City of Redmond. She was also active in garden clubs and organizations, including Marrowstone Garden Club on Marrowstone Island during the time they lived there. “Yoshitake’s Garden” is commemorated with a plaque as you enter Marrowstone. The garden was planted and maintained by Frank and Miye until they moved back to Redmond to live with their daughter, Teresa.

In October 2004, Frank, Miye, their children and grandchildren gathered for a ceremony to dedicate the Sunset Gardens Park, located across from Conrad Olsen Road on Avondale Road. Frank and Miye are buried at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue. Daughter Linda Hussey purchased an “In Memoriam” Lifetime Membership in March 2021, continuing to recognize a lifetime of service from her parents. Frank & Miye Yoshitake left a lasting legacy in every community; their list of accomplishments, memories and devotion to those communities are remembered fondly to this day.