Prince Tiao Vanngeun Sayasane

Prince Tiao Vanngeun Sayasane was born on August 11, 1941 in Luang Prabang, Laos to his father Prince Souvan Sayasane and Mom Chansy Manotham. Tiao Vanngeun passed away peacefully at home in Des Moines, Iowa with friends and family on August 8, 2021 at 8:00 AM.

Tiao Vanngeun was one of the most kind, generous, gentle, caring, loving, giving person, and had the heart of gold. He lived a very interesting life, was a physician in Laos, officer in the Royal Laos Army, officer in the United States Army, a great story teller, mentor, leader, and always teaches life lessons along with bestowing wisdom, knowledge, insight, and words of advice and encouragements. He was known as “The Smiling V” at Des Moines General Hospital Pharmacy as he used to say, “A smile is like a sunshine to sad people and it lasts forever.” Visitors and coworkers always remembered his ever present smile, which he credited with keeping him alive during encounters with Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.

Tiao Vanngeun was preceded in death by his older sister Princess Chinedavanh Sawatvong in Laos, older brothers Prince Tiao Vannasinh in Australia, Prince Tiao Vannaseng in Australia, Prince Tiao Vannavong in Laos, Prince Tiao Vanyen in Laos, Prince Tiao Vanthong in Laos, and his second oldest son Prince Tiao Nuntavanh in Laos. Prince Tiao Vankham is the only surviving older brother living in Australia.

Tiao Vanngeun is survived by his loving wife Mom Khamboua; his seven children, Tiao Nguplavanh Ron, Tiao Nopphavanh Scott (wife Mom Duyen Angela), Tiao Nitniranh Nina (husband Tiao Sinesamouth Mouth Khounlavouth), Tiao Noudsaravanh Sara (husband Mr. Huynh “Winn” Nguyen), Tiao Natdavanh Melissa, Tiao Kanlagnany Olivia, Tiao Sihanou Steve (wife Mom Viengthai Vanessa); eight grandchildren Andrew Sayasane (wife Jayme), Tiao Alexander Souksavath Khounlavouth (wife Elizabeth), Arthur Sayasane (wife Megan), Arnold Sayasane (fiancee Lizz Olvera), Tiao Aryavong Aaron Khounlavouth, Tiao Amphaimany Abby Sayasane, Tiao Amphoneratsamy Ava Sayasane, Aiden Sayasane-Nguyen; and three great grandchildren Liam Sayasane, Gia Sayasane, and Amianna Khounlavouth.

The memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Hamilton Funeral Home 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50313. Due to construction and road closures, please access the funeral home from NE 14th St. If you are unable to attend the service in person, the service will be live streamed and available through his obituary page on Hamilton’s website.

Memorial contributions may be directed to (Venmo) @Steve-Sayasane or 2423 SE 18th Ct., Des Moines, IA 50320.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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