Hisa Halverson

Hisa Hosoya Halverson, 88, passed away Friday, August 4, 2017 at Lake Shore Inn, Waseca MN.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 17th at 4:00 pm at Christian Assembly (900 14th Avenue SE, Waseca). Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church Interment will be on a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Hisa Hosoya Halverson was born August 3, 1929 in Yamagata Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan to Yoshita Hosoya, a master carpenter, and his wife, Teru. The second of seven children, Hisa, at the age of 16, became mother to her five younger brothers and sisters when their mother passed away. Hisa was very close to each of her siblings, and remained so throughout her life.
To help support her family, Hisa worked at a railroad company. She took lessons at the English school at night; because of her hard work, she was able to converse in English and made friends with many Americans.
Hisas love of dancing led to her introduction to Niel Halverson, MSGT US Air Force, who was stationed in Japan during the Viet Nam War. They married on January 31, 1967 in Tokyo, where they lived until Niel was transferred to Sacramento CA. Here they made their home and raised Niels four children. Hisa and Niel also helped her niece who was studying abroad, and took care of her brothers who came to America to work. When Niel retired, they moved to his hometown of Janesville MN. Hisa, along with Niel (who had become as close as a brother to her siblings), traveled often to Japan to visit her family. Though Hisa loved America and did become a United States Citizen, Japan always retained its claim on a part of her heart, and she was often invited to share her Japanese culture with students at the JWP Elementary School.
Hisa loved dancing, shopping, playing BINGO and spending time with family and friends. Devout Christians, the Halversons were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. After Niels death, Hisa attended Waseca Christian Assembly, where she added to her continually growing list of friends. In 2014, Hisa was baptized at Kohnan Zion Christ Church, her church in Japan. And while she loved each of her family and friends, Hisa always considered Niel the love of her life.
Hisa is preceded in death by her parents, Yoshita and Teru Hosoya; her husband, Niel; one stepson, Daniel; one sister, You Sato; and two brothers, Ikuo Hosoya and Yuzi Hosoya. She is survived by her stepchildren: William Halverson of Knoxville TN; Heather Eleazer, also of Knoxville TN; and Eleanor Stewart of Scottville MI; two brothers: Eiji Hosoya, Japan; and Hideo Hosoya, Japan; and one sister, Ms. Mitu Abe of Japan; as well as a legacy of friends, whom she considered family.
Memorials may be sent to Christian Assembly; unless otherwise designated, all gifts will be forwarded to Hisas church in Japan.