Nobuko Hirayu Basl

Woodburn- Nobuko Hirayu was born in Kazusa, Japan on the island of Kyushu. She was the seventh of eight children, six girls and one boy. At age 19 she met and married a young Navy man stationed in Sasebo, Japan. She came to the United States in 1957 with her husband and 16 month old daughter. On June 18, 1962, Nobuko became a citizen of the United States. Nobuko prided herself in working hard all of her life. She was a strong, independent woman who lived her life simply. She enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, and grew a remarkable vegetable garden. Nobuko is survived by her family in the United States; daughter Lenda, son-in-law David, grandson Ben Amstutz, granddaughter Ariane Rakich, grandson-in-law Mylan Rakich, and great grandsons Ben Rakich and Jefferson Rakich. She is survived by her family in Japan; sisters Kuniko Araki and Fusako Wakiyama, nephews Tsutomu Araki, Shinji Araki, Tatsuya Araki, Hiroshi Hirayu, Yasuo Hirayu, and Teiji Wakiyama