Fusako "Nadine" Clawson

Fusako "Nadine" Hanada Clawson, born on April 4, 1930, in Aomori Prefecture, Hirosaki, Japan, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2025. Fusako, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, touched the lives of many through her kindness, generous, outspoken and adventurous spirit.

Fusako was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond "Jim" Clawson II; her daughter, Chrissy Lynn Clawson; and son, James Michael "Mike" Clawson, whose absences left an indelible mark on her heart.

Fusako is survived by her loving daughter, Carol Anne (Alan) Bucksot. She was a proud grandmother to her four grandchildren: Sean Michael Clawson, Stephanie Renee Clawson, Lydia Michelle Clawson, and Vincent Daniel Clawson. She was also a great-grandmother to Andrew Michael Clawson, Leon James Clawson and Meryl Olivia Barlow who brightened her later years.

Fusako was the youngest of eight children (Setsu, Toru, Tsuya, Mitsuye, Yoshio, Mitushiro & Kunio) born to parents Zenta Hanada and Mura Narita Hanada.

Her father was a self-made man who was successful with fruit orchards and sake businesses. Later in life, he became a chiropractor and acupuncturist. He received many awards and commendations over the years from the Emperor for his military service as well as numerous donations and support to the community. Her mother was descended from the ruling class Narita (Samurai) family of the southern Kyoto area. However, they fled far north to Hirosaki, during the Meiji era and abolition of the Samurai.

Although her family were Buddhists, Fusako attended Christian Methodist schools. She graduated at the top of her class and wanted to be a lawyer, but her father said she was smart enough and didn't need to continue her education. She worked as a Japanese - English translator at the Misawa Air Force base where she met her husband who was serving in the Air Force during the Korean War.

She loved skiing (was an expert) and riding motorcycles all over Japan with her husband, Jim and another couple. Fusako and Jim loved to dance and won many dance contests at the Air Force base; their specialty was the Jitterbug. They were married in Tokyo and immigrated to the United States in 1955, and Fusako promptly became a U.S. citizen.

She lived a privileged life in Japan, and grew up in a large Samurai house, but like her parents and siblings was humble and hard-working. In addition to raising three children, (one with special needs) she worked at RCA doing factory work for several years and on weekends taught Ju-jitsu, Karate and self-defense with her husband who started the first dojo in Indiana. She later started a silk flower-arranging business, and we all chuckled that she thought using her nickname, "Flowers by Nadine" (which was given to her by the commanding officer at Misawa who couldn't pronounce Fusako) was the way to go. She thought she would get more business with an "American" sounding business.

Due to working and raising a family, it was almost 20 years after she came to America (when her father died) before she was able to return to Japan. After his death, and until her last remaining sibling died in 2010, she visited her family on a regular basis sometimes twice a year.

She had a green thumb and grew vegetables, beautiful Peonies, roses and many other flowers. She loved gambling and always seemed to win. In her earlier years, she played in weekly poker games with her Japanese friends and some of their husbands. She enjoyed a few trips to Las Vegas and later in life played weekly Mah Jongg with friends. For several years, she volunteered at Noble of Indiana working with adults with disabilities and in her 60's - 70's, she took swimming exercise classes.

As her memory started to fail, she enjoyed her love of gambling by going to local casinos and playing the slot machines where she continued to come out ahead.

She lived a very full life, was very much loved and will be dearly missed by her family and friends; some she has known for over 65 years.

Services will be officiated by Pastor Thomas Going, held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 8540 E. 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219, on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Japanese Mission Society, c/o Grace Lutheran Church, 3201 Central Ave, Columbus, IN 47203.