Kong Vongnhay

Mrs. Kong Vongnhay, age 93, passed away on July 6, 2011, at University Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Des Moines, where she lived for more than a year battling Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born on May 19, 1918, in northwestern Laos. She was the second daughter among the four of Chao Norkeo and Morm La. She left the Thai refugee camp at the end of 1979, and settled in Des Moines, with the rest of her children.

She loved spending time with her family and raising her children and grandchildren at the time of her struggle as a refugee. She never complained how hard times were and always had warm meals for her family. She taught her children the Lao culture and way of life because she wanted her children and grandchildren to preserve the Lao tradition and heritage.

Mrs. Kong Vongnhay provided her family insights into a rich, beautiful culture of love and respect. She was an active member of the Lao Buddhist Temple in Iowa. She helped fund the construction of a new pagoda in her hometown of Sip Song Phanh Na Lu, Laos. In return of that gift and lasting friendship, everyone in the community called her “Mae Tou” or grandma.

With her gentle heart and warm smiles, she did many remarkable things in the lives of her family and reached out to many in her neighborhood and community. She gained many friendships and many were proud to call her friend.

Her other hobbies included sewing, knitting, cooking and gardening.

Including her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Peng Vongnhay; brother, Phouma; and her sister, Nang Horm.

She is survived by sister, Nang Keng of Laos; children Mr. Souraphong Vongnhay of Canada, Mrs. Kingkham Doungsavanh of Laos, Mrs. Tankham Vongxay and Khanthalay Manirath both of Des Moines, Mrs. Venthip Sengchem of Thailand, Mrs. Phatsalay (La) Baccam, Souksay Vongnhay and Mrs. Niramoun Philavanh, all of Des Moines; and she was blessed with 21 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, July 10, 2011, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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