Fumi Hara

August 6, 1931 – March 22, 2016

Fumi (Nitta) Hara, 84, passed away of natural causes on March 22, 2016 at her home in Moses Lake, Wash. She was born Aug. 6, 1931 in Vale, Ore. She was the first child of Nobuichi and Yoshiko Nitta and was known throughout her life as “Sis” to her younger siblings, Yoshimi, Kathy (Sayoko), Nancy, Bob, and Jack.

Fumi graduated from Vale High School in 1949 and worked at Holy Rosary Hospital in Ontario, Ore. In 1951, Fumi met Don Hara. His charm and great smile convinced her to see the movie “Rommel – The Desert Fox.” They had a whirlwind romance and, unbeknownst to Fumi, Don borrowed some money to drive them to Winnemucca, Nev., where they were married on Nov. 27, 1951.

They began their life in Moses Lake with their three-month-old daughter Karen and eventually the still-growing family moved to the “basement house” on Saunders Road (later Road L NE). Throughout the years they had six more children and many friends, they passed many evenings with their children’s classmates or Japanese agricultural exchange students seated around the dinner table. Fumi was an excellent cook and used to amaze people with her ability to chop vegetables like a rapidly firing machine gun.

Fumi always loved to garden and often left half-filled coffee cups scattered around the yard. She enjoyed making corsages and participated in the garden club with friends. The Hara family participated in various Buddhist Church and Japanese Basin Club activities, including Grange Hall Christmas parties and Fourth of July barbecues. Fumi was also active in the Nisei Women’s Club.

In 1975, the Hara family moved into their current home that Don and their sons built. Over her many years there, Fumi established one of the most beautiful flower gardens in the area, complete with fish ponds and trees. She climbed these trees every year to trim and shape them in the Japanese tradition she learned from Mr. Kobata. Besides gardening and taking care of her own family, Fumi also cared for her parents on their farm in Moses Lake. Fumi was known throughout the community, especially at Safeway, her daily social outlet for years. We will remember her incredible meals, snickerdoodles, cowboy cookies and fresh strawberry jam.

Over their fifty plus years of marriage, Don and Fumi raised seven children and Fumi loved boasting when they were all home to visit. She enjoyed their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her more recent pastimes included watching the Mariners, watching Gonzaga’s basketball team, and reading.

Fumi is survived by the following children and their spouses: Karen and John Weidert, Don Hara, Jr., Geri Gilbert, Douglas and Tamara Hara, George Hara, Susan and Russ Beard and daughter-in-law, Michele Hara. Her grandchildren are Jessika Hara, Craig Weidert and Carol Feucht, AJ Hara, Bryan & Melinda Hara, Harrison Gilbert, Sean Weidert, Samantha Hara, Hayden Hara, and Nicholas Hara. Her great-grandchildren are Memphis, Keaton, Laynee, and Midori. Fumi’s siblings and their spouses are Yoshimi Ott, Kathy and Tom Mayeda, Nancy Nitta, Jack and Toshie Nitta, and sister-in-law, Barbara Nitta. Survivors also include numerous cousins, in-laws, nephews, nieces, and extended family and friends.

Fumi was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don, son Mark, and brother Bob Nitta. A memorial celebration will be held at Kayser’s Chapel of Memories in Moses Lake, Washington, on April 15 at 1 p.m.. A reception will follow at Lin’s Restaurant.

Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com Arrangements are in care of Kayser’s Chapel.