Kou Kouangvan

Kou Kouangvan, 90, passed away on November 13, 2020, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines. He was born in Sonla, Vietnam on November 25, 1929, to Oune Kouangvan and Meuang Kouangthi. He was the fifth out of six children. He had four sisters and one brother and until his death he was the last living sibling. In 1949 Kou decided to leave school after the eighth grade to join the French Army in the fight to stop the rise of communism. He served with the French Army until he was honorably discharged on May 2nd, 1956. After serving in the French Army, he moved to the Vientiane, Laos and worked as a labor and construction worker for twenty-one years and 9 months. In February of 1979, Kou decided to leave communist Laos with his wife, son, daughter in law, and his 6-month-old grandson in of pursue of a better life for his growing family. Kou and his family escaped to a refugee camp in Nong Khai, Thailand where they lived for over a year and 6 months. Then in August of 1980 Kou and his family, which now includes a newly born 4-month-old grandson, moved to The United States of America to start a new and better life for him and his family.

Kou settled in Oskaloosa, IA in August 1980 where he studied the America English language, worked as a laborer, helped raised his family, and saw the birth of his first American born Granddaughter. Kou moved again on October 1987 to Des Moines, IA where he called it home until his passing. He worked various general labor and manufacturing jobs. He stayed employed and continued to work diligently until his retirement on September 30, 1995. He spent his retirement years enjoying the company of his family and seeking new adventures such as traveling to Vietnam, France, and Canada.

Kou enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He enjoyed reading, writing, and watching TV. His favorite TV shows were Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right. His favorite sport to watch was tennis. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were his favorite players. He enjoyed being outside and doing outdoor activities such as gardening, fishing, and doing simple carpentry projects. But one thing that he absolutely enjoyed the most was spending quality time with his growing family.

Kou is survived by his wife, Heung Luongthi; two sons, Phong Kouangvan and Bounlay Kouangvan. Kou is also survived by seven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 50th Ave., Des Moines. Burial will be at Old White Cemetery.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.



The family requests masks be worn and social distancing is encouraged.

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