Mani Samountry

Mani Don Samountry, a resident of Des Moines, Iowa for over 43 years, passed away on February 3, 2024 at the age of 68. She passed away peacefully at Methodist Medical Center with her family by her side.

She was born on March 28, 1955 in Vientiane, Laos and was the second child of seven children to Nho Samountry and Somchinh Phanouvong. She and her family escaped communism in 1975 to a Thailand refugee camp until 1980. They then resettled to Des Moines, Iowa and have since then planted their roots here.

Although she did not have children of her own, she was a wonderful mother figure to siblings, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was truly loved and will be greatly missed and cherished by everyone. She worked very hard for her family but most of all, she loved spending her free time cooking and gather her family together for joyous occasions and every holiday. Not only did she want her gatherings for her family but her doors were open and welcome to everyone to join. Her love language was through her amazing cooking and food. She appreciated everyone around her and by showing her appreciation, she cooked for her family, friends, coworkers, and even her nurses and doctors. She would feed the whole city if she needed to. To her family she was one-of-a-kind and absolutely no one in this world could compare to her.

She leaves behind her long-term partner, Do Baccam and her legacy to her sisters: Mounlaho Samountry of France, Sisongkham(Somsack) Phetdavieng, Sam Ung of Des Moines, and Vandara Samountry of Minnesota along with twelve nieces, nephews, and their spouses all who she raised as her own children; Sammy Inthalivanh, Mountry (Mikol) Samountry, Allen(Keola) Ung, Thida Vongkhamchanh, Jennifer (Rocky) Hiracheta, Ake Phetdavieng, Timmy Somountry, Christy Ung, Rocky Phetdavieng, Sandra (Jacob) Lamar, Michael Ung, and Johnny Phonphiboun.

And left to honor her and cherish the memory of her love are twelve great-nieces and great-nephews who were considered her grandchildren and called her their Thoo Thoo; Anthony, Kanai, Peyton, Cain, Dahranie, Tila, Myah, Adrian, Zayden, Alexa, Kato, and Shea.

She was proceeded in death by her father, Nho Samountry; mother, Somchinh Phanouvong; and two brothers, Chantho and Vanno Samountry.

Family will greet guests on Sunday, February 11, 2024 from 1:00 -2:00p.m., at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines. Service will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m. Following services will be cremation for family but all guests are invited to conclude and say their final farewells at their home: 2600 E Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50317. There will food and refreshments for everyone.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Mani Samountry to Allen Ung and Dahranie Samountry through PayPal; allenung82@yahoo.com, Zelle: (515)447-0047, Venmo: @DSamountry5, CashApp: $DSamountry5.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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