Somchay Sisauyhoat

April 23, 2019

Somchay Sisauyhoat

Service Details

In Loving Memory
Somchay Sisauyhoat
1943 - 2019

Somchay Sisauyhoat or “Grandma” was born on June 10, 1943 and passed away at the home of her daughter (Julie) on Tuesday April 23, 2019 at the age of 75.

Somchay and children immigrated to the U.S. in 1981. She became a United States citizen in 1988. Her husband, Prasong Sisauyhoat, who worked for USAID in Laos, was abducted in 1975 by the communists and is presumed dead.

As a widow and in dangerous circumstances, Somchay brought herself and four children to safety in Thailand where they lived in a refugee camp for two years before immigrating to the U.S.

She was a person of strong character who contributed to her community by teaching English to Southeast Asian immigrants at Hawthorn Hill, Des Moines and was among persons recognized nationally in Washington, D.C. for improving English language skills among immigrants. She emphasized to her family the importance of education in their adopted land. She was a person who always gave of herself, to the benefit of others.

Somchay is survived by her children, Julie (Lee) Liu of Des Moines, Pete (Tou) Sisauyhoat of Laos, Pen (Rob) Mendes of Netherlands, Vonnie (Neil) Sisauyhoat of Wisconsin; grandchildren, Darika, Nathan, Phikanait, Kiran and Derek; niece, Amarin of Des Moines; nephew, Sakdadej of Thailand; sisters, Sutin Wongchaiya of Des Moines and Linda Svoboda of Cedar Rapids. Somchay had a unique relationship with her son-in-law, Minh, even after he and her daughter separated, because she loved and cared for everyone.

Somchay was honored with a traditional Buddhist farewell ceremony on April 21, 2019. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Friday April 26 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 121 N.W. 60th Ave, Des Moines. A celebration of her life will be held at noon Saturday April 27 at 3718 SE 19th Street, Des Moines.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Ambrose Cathedral where Somchay was a member or to the Central Iowa Shelter & Services where her grandson Nathan is completing an internship.

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