Koharu Sera

Koharu passed away peacefully at the age of 103 in Bellevue, Washington. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Yukio Sera. She is survived by her three sons, Larry Sera (Karlyne), Jerry Sera (Phyllis), Dale Sera (Carol), six grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

Koharu was born in San Francisco, CA to Bungo and Sadako Hikido, immigrants from Wakayama prefecture, Japan. She was the oldest of five children and the only daughter.

Koharu grew up in Danville, CA in an area called Tassajara where she and her four brothers attended a “one room school house” which is now a designated historic landmark.

After graduating from San Ramon High School in 1938, Koharu went to live in Japan with an uncle and aunt, to further her cultural education. She studied tea ceremony, flower arranging, and kimono making. Her stay was cut short when her father asked her to return to the US in February 1941as tensions between Japan and the US grew. Her ship that arrived in San Francisco was the last one allowed to dock. The next ship was turned away and returned to Japan.

In February 1942, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 which removed all persons of Japanese ancestry from the west coast. Koharu’s family was sent to Gila River, Arizona relocation camp.

Yukio who was drafted into the US army and stationed in Arkansas, traveled by train to Gila River to marry Koharu. After the wedding, they traveled back to Arkansas to rejoin his army unit. Koharu spent time in Mississippi and Tennessee following Yukio’s deployments. Koharu was proud, that in addition to Yukio serving in the US military, her four brothers served in the US military: Two in WW II and two in the Korean War.

After the war ended, Koharu and Yukio settled in Berkeley, CA where they raised their family. Koharu worked at Herrick Memorial Hospital as a Dietician Assistance/Secretary for 35+ years. After retiring, Koharu and Yukio moved to Seattle WA to be close to their sons and families. Family get-togethers always brought great joy and happiness to Koharu. She was wonderful at remembering anniversaries/birthdays and calling “just to say Hello.”

Most important in Koharu’s life was her relationship with God and her Christian faith. She made a profession of faith as a teenager. Her parents were introduced to Christianity in the 1930’s and took the family to church every week driving from Danville to Berkeley. The Berkeley Christian Layman Church would be the family’s church from after the war until 1988 when Koharu and Yukio moved to Washington. They made the Faith Bible Church in Seattle their home church community. Yukio passed away in 2006. Koharu attended FBC for 30+ years and enjoyed the Bible studies, Sunday worship services and lunch fellowships.

Koharu’s faith in God was shown in her hospitality and warm acceptance of all she met. She is now in her heavenly home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Well done, good and faithful servant.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Newcastle Gardens Senior Home, and staff at Kline Galland Hospice Care and Nikkei Manor for their care, compassion, and wonderful care of Koharu.

Memorials may be made to:

1. Faith Bible Church, 128 18th Ave. Seattle, WA 98122

2. Kline Galland Hospice/Palliative Care, 7500 Seward Park Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118

3. Organization of your choice

To honor Koharu’s request, there will be no public service.