Hisako (Hisa) Asai, of Turlock (Cortez), CA, passed away quietly in her sleep on February 28, 2018. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Hiroshi (Hiro) Asai, who passed in 2012. Hisa is survived by four sons and four daughters-in-law: oldest son, Paul Asai and his wife Iris; son, Gary Asai and his wife Rebecca; son, Randy Asai and his wife Nancy; son, Darryl Asai and his wife Joanne.
Hisa is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Heather, Nicole, Christie, Scotty, Amy, Katie, Jonathan & Jennifer, and step-grandchildren, Shawn and Athena; 11 great-grandchildren; and sister, Ruby Fujiwara of Laguna Beach, CA.
Hisa was a member of the Stockton Buddhist Church and the Cortez Howakai, Cortez Growers Assn, member of Blue Diamond Growers, Cortez Japanese-American Citizens League, Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans, and was involved with activities and reunions of the WWII 442nd veterans.
Both Hisa and Hiro were known for hosting a late summer lunch at the JACL Hall for the E Co. veterans, family and friends. They would always send everyone home laden with home grown fruits, vegetables, and produce from their ranch, and donated by other family and friends who were farmers.
During WWII Hisa and her family were sent to the Amache Relocation Center where she met her future husband, Hiro, as teenagers. It was also at the internment camp where she gained the nickname “Sunny” because of her beautiful smile and sunny disposition. Hisa and Hiro married in 1946 and after the war they returned to Hiro’s hometown of Turlock (Cortez) to start their new home and family. From then on, until the day she died, Hisa stayed in the area and raised her 4 sons and helped the ranch grow from 20 acres to 260 acres. She also, by her sons and many other people’s view, gained the reputation of being one of the best cooks in in the area.
Although Hisa’s passing was unexpected, it really is the way we all would wish to go. She was of decent health and living independently up until the end of her 92 years. She just went to sleep one night with no worries. She will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.
The family would like to thank the many people who were part of her life, and would like to welcome any who wish to attend her funeral service at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock. A reception will follow at the Cortez JACL Hall, 12985 N Cortez Ave, Turlock.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Hisako Asai please visit our Sympathy Store at www.turlockfuneralhome.com.
