Hien Thi Pham Bui

After a long 87 years, Hien Thi Pham Bui lying peacefully surrounded by her loving family when God called her home on November 6, 2024, at Mercy One West Des Moines.

Hien was born on May 10, 1937, to Ngat Thi Bui (mother) & Muon Van Pham (father) in Hai Phong, VN. She met Ban through his aunt in Vietnam, and they were married in Phan Thiet, VN, in 1957. They celebrated 67 years of marriage this year.

They settled in Vung Tau (south Vietnam) and began their family in 1958 with the birth of their son, Chap. Having now settled, Hien & Ban would continue to have nine more children, with their final one born in 1974. April 30, 1975, marked an important day in World History as Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese Army. This event would cause Hien & Ban to decide to flee their country to escape the communist regime. Although their decision was forced through bitter means, they would soon embark on a journey without knowing their final destination that would change the course of their family’s lives forever.

Through a series of unforeseen events, Ban was captured by the NVA and was left behind. Hien, her mother, brother Thin, ten children, and other relatives would board a ship on a 14-day journey to Guam. Eventually, they would all relocate to a refugee camp in Ft Chaffee, AR, in May 1975. During this time, Hien had to make the ultimate sacrifice to give up two children for adoption (Joe & Maria) so the rest of the family could stay together. By the grace of God, Father Wilwerding, Kathy Haas, and Rosemount Parish Catholic Church who sponsored her family to begin their new life on August 25, 1975, in Milo, IA.

Although her family was separated, Hien was determined to work hard and provide for her family. This was in addition to creating a plan to make her family whole again. While in prison and placed in the communist’s re-education camps, Ban did not give up trying to reunite with his family. After several tries, he eventually escaped leading him to be reunited with his family in 1982. Lastly, in 1985, Joe and Maria returned home to make their family whole again.

Hien’s faith in God, family, love, and selflessness will live forever in the hearts of our family. The many Christmases in her house with the comfort of eating thit kho (braised pork & eggs) and pink xoi (sweet sticky rice) at her kitchen table and steadfastly praying for all of us at any moment of the day will never be the same or forgotten.

She leaves behind her husband Ban Bui, children Chap (Hoang) Bui of Des Moines, Phuoc (Dung) Bui of Des Moines, Lanh (Khoa) Bui of Des Moines, Le Nguyen of Des Moines, Dai (Theu) Bui of Carrollton, TX, Joe Bui of Des Moines, Ngoc (Sang) Nguyen of Canton, MI, Ve (Brenda) Bui of Chicago, IL, and Dung “Zoom” (Jodi) Bui of Elmhurst, IL. She left behind 29 grandchildren and 13 (counting Amber’s 10th) great-grandchildren. Lastly, she is survived by her brother, Thin (Thuy) Pham of Herndon, VA.

Hien was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Lien Thi Bich Nguyen “Maria,” and her brother Van Van Pham.

Family will be greetings friends during visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home; 5400 SW 9th Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church with a reception to follow the funeral; 612 E 18th Street, Des Moines. Hien will be laid to rest at Glendale Cemetery on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.

The family is not accepting gifts. Thank you for your presence.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.Hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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