Signe Esther Nakashima

Signe Esther Olson Gallaher Nakashima

July,23,1923 - February 10, 2022

Signe (Sig), was born in Comstock Nebraska on July 23, 1923, to Carl and Ellen Olson. She attended Kindergarten through High School in Nebraska.

She married Glenn 0. Gallaher on August, 30,1942. They moved to Glendale, California where

they worked at Lockheed for  the war effort. Sig was a "Rosie the Riveter", and worked as riveter on B-17s, and P-38s. Sig & Glenn, then moved to China Lake, Ca, and hired onto the Navy Base as civil servants on August,14,1945, (VJ Day). Sig started her career on the base as an office worker. During her time there, she had the opportunity to become an Electronic Technician, and worked as an ET until her retirement. Sig and Glenn had two children, Butch, 1951, and Barb, 1953. After retiring, Sig and Glenn purchased a converted bus and traveled the US. They attended several Indianapolis 500 races, visited family and friends, and had fun sight seeing. After Glenn passed, her husband of 47 years, she started work for Vitro, and earned another retirement.

Sig always enjoyed being outdoors, and loved to hike, and backpack. She summited Mt. Whitney 23 times. The last time she summited Mt. Whitney, she was 80 years old. She also finished The Napa Valley Marathon at the age of 74.

Sig helped to start the group "The Packrats", and as Matriarch, enjoyed many, many fun hikes and outings.

After Glenns passing, she married her best friend, Toshio (Tosh) Nakashima on August, 14, 1993.They enjoyed traveling, and went on many cruises and road trips together. They also enjoyed spending time in Aspendell at their cabin. It was there that she was inspired to write a book about the history of The Cardinal Gold Mine. Her book is still for sale at  the Laws Museum in Bishop, Ca., and at Cardinal Village Resort in Aspendell, Ca.The title of the book is "Cardinal Gold Mine, A Ghost of the Past".

Sig was also a "Pink Lady" volunteer for the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital. Sig did so many things, went on so many adventures and travels with friends and family that it would be possible to name them all. I know we all are blessed having known her and getting to spend time and adventures with her.

She is precede in death by her first husband Glenn 0. Gallaher, her parents, Carl and Ellen

Olson, her two brothers, Eric, and Phillip Olson, and sister, Edna Ellis.

She is survived by her husband Tosh Nakashima, Children, Butch Gallaher, and Barbara (Gallaher) Miller, Son-in-law Rick Miller. Grandchildren; Chari Vasquez, Amy Lewis, Andrea, and Andrew Banaszynski.

She also had 8 Great-Grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

At passing, she was 98 years old, and lived a full life of travel, adventure, raising a family, and being a friend to all. She passed peacefully at home with her loving husband Tosh by her side. She was dearly loved by all, and she will be greatly missed. We know that God has a place reserved for her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 19th, 2022 at 12:00 noon, at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1201 N. China Lake Blvd, Ridgecrest, Ca. 93555