Sao Thao Sayaxang Lee

Special Thanks:
Pastors:
Fr. Ambrose Ladu (St. Ambrose Catholic Church)
Rev. Deacon Lee Pao Yang
Hmong Catholic Community of Iowa
XF. Ka Xue Thao, Wausau, WI
XF. Chong Lao Thao, Denver, Co
Taw Kev
Lee Kongmeng Sayaxang (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Kav Xwm
Khoua Ge Lee (Wausau, Wisconsin)
Wang Doua Lee (Des Moines, Iowa)
Cuab Tsav
Nhia Sou Lee (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Thawj Xyom Cuab
Leng Lee Sayaxang (Des Moines, Iowa)
Tshwj Kab
Blong Yang (Pella, Iowa)
Lee Vong Sayaxang
Niam Ua Mov
Mrs. Nhia Toua Vang (Des Moines, Iowa)
Mrs. Her Vue (Pella, Iowa)
Photographers
Nhia Yeng Vang
Cha Toua Vang
Emcee:
Thai Lee (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Chong Pao Lee (St. Paul, Minnesota)
Blong Lee (Denver, Colorado)
&
All Hmong Leaders, relatives, friends
Forever
In Our
Hearts
The family wishes to thank you for your help
and support during this period of sadness.
In Memory of
Sao Thao Sayaxang Lee
May God bless you all.
January 8, 1944 - March 23, 2014
Funeral Service Schedule
Friday, April 25, 2014:
8:00AM
Open visitation
10:00AM
Lub Txoos Xa Plig
Rev. Deacon Lee Pao Yang, Des Moines, IA
Xa Plig Ntu ib (1)
Lee Kongmeng Sayaxang, Milwaukee, WI
12:00 Noon
Lunch
2:00PM
Xa Plig Ntu ob (2)
Rev. Deacon Lee Pao Yang, Des Moines, IA
3:00PM
Open visitation
6:00PM
Dinner
8:00PM
Nkauj Txhawb Siab:
 Hmong Alliance Church of Iowa

Sib ncaim, Niam Nom Txos, Niam Nom
Tsheej
Lus Txhawb Siab:
 Txwj Laug Moua Thao, Hmong Catholic
of Milwaukee
 Thai Lee, Milwaukee, WI
 XF. Vang Teng, CA
Hmong Lao Farm & Cultural Building
10305 W. 135th St. S.
Prairie City, Iowa 50228
Saturday, April 26, 2014:
8:00AM
Departure from Grandview Park Funeral
Home to Hmong Lao Farm & Cultural
Building
Dear Grandma,
I love you to the fullest. You and I became closer and closer every day, just like
best friends. I appreciate all the things you have done for me. Thank you for taking
very good care of me, for teaching me the wrongs and the rights, for being there
for me, and most of all, thank you for loving me with all your heart. I will cherish
every moment with you, all the laughter, the smile on our face as well s everything
else. You are very special to me. We had great memories together that I’ll never
forget. Grandma, I’ll miss you every day. May God be with you. I love you.
~ Finesse Chang aka NkaujNog
Dear Grandma,
This is your granddaughter, Sahtyn. I miss you very much and everybody else in
the Hmong community. I will never forget your last words to me the last time we
spoke. "Sahtyn, you go with me to Minnesota? What do you say, yeah or no?" I
replied "No..." You leaned forward, hugged me and said "okay, I love you,
BYE!" Your words will always be in my heart and so will you. I will miss your
voice and laughter, all the good times we had together (playing cards, jenga, and
joking around), and your beautiful smile. We will always pray for you.
Love your granddaughter who was blessed to spend majority of her life with and
knowing you.
~ Sahtyn Lee aka “Pluav”
Dear Grandma,
Even though I barely knew Grandma, I hope she is in a nice, warm and happy
place. I hope grandma is happy and well cared for. I hope to meet her someday
again, and deep in my heart I will always love her.
~ Skyla Lee
Great Grandchildren
I love you and I miss you. I love your kisses and your hugs. I have a baby brother,
and his name is Chalee Yang. I know you are in heaven.
~ Shylah Yang
Dear Grandma,
March 22nd, 2014 7:02am, Saturday. You were very sick that day. I woke up being
shocked that you were in the hospital. My brother Choua came knocking at my
room saying you passed away, but the doctor brought you back to life. I was glad
that you were alive and I got to see you one last time. Everyone came and saw you
Grandma, well mostly everyone. We cried for you. Said our last words to you.
Death is a part of life, but why did you leave all of a sudden? Why now? It wasn't
your time yet. You’re still very young. I wanted you to meet my future baby
boy/girl. We miss you. We love you, Grandma. I love you. In the end, us
grandkids hugged you, came to your house, helped you, loved you, listened to you,
watered the plants, and many things. The memories will live long. I'll tell my
future children how my grandma used to do farming, and tell a story about how my
grandma went fishing. Rest in Peace, Grandma.
~ Bobby Wanglue Vang
9:00AM
Blessing & Prayer
Slide Show of Sao Thao
Eulogy by:
Mr. & Mrs. Eric Zingler, Hmong Lao
Foundation Advisor, WI
Mr. & Mrs. John Shors, Hmong Lao
Foundation Advisor, IA
Wang Chong Vang, CA
Dr. Lee Pao, Hmong Lee USA President, MN
Conclude by:
Grandma,
Thank you for always encouraging and supporting us to do our best in
school. Bless you for all the love you've given us. We will never forget you.
~ Gausher Vang and Chineng Vang
Dear Grandma,
Thank you for raising me to become a strong young man. No matter how much I
cry you won't awaken, and I know no matter where I am you will always watch
over me because you are in a better place now. I remember the last few words you
said to me: "Listen and love your parents, study hard and graduate college, and
don't play too much.” I will always cherish those words because I love you
Grandma, and I don't want you to forget.
~ Sengxue Yang aka QigTaub
Grandma,
You gave me a name and you were the only one to call me by it. I will cherish this
name and take pride in it. You've given me many things to remember you by. You
live in my memories, and you live in my name. Thank you for everything. Rest in
peace, Grandma. I love you.
~ Nikls Chang aka TxawjXav
Fr. Ambrose Ladu
Rev. Deacon Lee Pao Yang, Des Moines, IA
Lee Khoua C. Sayaxang, Des Moines, IA
Iles Funeral Homes (Grandview Park)
3211 Hubbell Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50317
1:00PM
Lunch
2:00PM
Church Service
XF. Ka Xue Thao, Wausau, WI
3:00PM
Sao Thao S. Lee (Biography)
Ly Chao Sayaxang, Des Moines, IA
Honor Sao Thao
Maiker Yang, Fresno, CA
Eulogy by:
Col. Ly Teng, Hmong Lee Clan Leader. MN
Mayor Lao Thay Vang, WI
Nai Kong Lao Vang Chong, MN
Major Xiong Chao, WI
Major Thao Xang, NC
Major Lo Vang, KS
7:00PM
Dinner
8:00PM
Church Service
9:00PM
Message of Condolences by:
Hmong Lee USA, Dr. Lee Pao & Choua Blong Lee, MN
Hmong Lao Catholic of Des Moines, Iowa. Boun Home Pripriyavanh, IA
Vang Houa Moua Family, Cher Pao Vang, MN
Kiatoukaisy Family
Sayaovong Family
11:00PM
Eulogy by:
Wangmeng S. Lee
Slide Show
Sunday, April 27, 2014:
Grandma,
Going through this hard time of loss, we think about the wonderful gestures and
kindness Grandma showcased and reminds us to be gracious. She is a role model
for our life journey. We love and miss you.
~ Kongmeng Yang and Christy Yang
Grandma,
Your smile and your contagious laughter are as bright and warm as the golden sun.
God created a heart so big, that loving everyone who walked in your path was the
least you had done. You're the biggest fighter and have won all of your battles.
God will now heal all your wounds as he's finally called you home. You're in our
hearts forever and never gone. We love you Grandma!
~ Thylee Yang and Nancy Lee
8:00AM
Church Service
XF. Ka Xue Thao, Wausau, WI
9:00AM
Message of Condolences by Relatives &
Friends’ time
12:00PM
Lunch
"Those we love don't go away; they walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed, my very dear wonderful
grandma."
~ Choua Wanglue Vang
2:00PM
3:00PM
Church Service
XF. Chong Lao Thao, Denver, CO
Family Time
“My Angel in the Sky”
6:00PM
Dinner
8:00PM
Txiv Dab Laug time
Nkauj txhawb siab
Monday 28, 2014:
8:00AM
To St. Ambrose Church
705 High St. Des Moines, Iowa 50307
9:30AM
Mass at St. Ambrose Church
Immediately following the service
To Rising Sun Cemetery
1:00PM
Reception at 1010 William St.
Des Moines, Iowa 50317
Conclude the funeral Service
What a Sunday night
Knowing you’re not here tonight
And all my thoughts of you
Turn me down to cry
All the love we shared
All those times
All those memories
It was meant to be
And I close my eyes
To say my prayers
To open the doors
For you to see the lights
You be my angel
You be my angel in the sky…
Written by: Keng Wanglue Vang
As a child, I remember one day we were talking about life and death.
"One day, I will die and go to heaven." You told me. "If you die, I want to die
with you, because I can't live without you." I said very sad and sobbing. I then
cried for hours while you held me in your arms. Now the day has come, it hurts
even deeper compared to when I was a child. I will remember all the good times
we had and all you have taught me growing up. You are the best mom in the world
and I will miss you dearly. Will see you on the other side. Your baby son.
~ Ray Lee
It brings tears to my eyes knowing I will have to wake up to not seeing your face
and smile anymore. But the image of you will always be in my heart. I want to let
you know it has truly been a blessing to have the honor in caring for you and Dad
all of these years. I could have not pictured it any different. Thank you for all you
have taught and given me. Your voice, laugh, sense of humor, generosity,
unconditional love and presence will be deeply missed. Love you Mom. Always in
our hearts.
~ Shoua Lor “Nyab Ray”
Grandchildren
If we would have known God needed you so soon, we would have visited you
more often, gave you more hugs, took more pictures with you, and told you we
loved you more. We will never have the opportunity to do these things again but I
want you to know just how much we love and miss you. Thank you for your words
of wisdom and helping us to become who we are today. Thank you for loving us
the way that you did, it was a love that was pure and unconditional, a love that
we’ll remember and will cherish forever.
~ Marchy Yang and Linda Yang
To my wonderful grandmother:
I am grateful to have you as my grandmother. I will cherish all my childhood
memories with you. You will always be in my heart and will never be forgotten.
~ Char Wanglue Vang
Sao Thao Sayaxang Lee Biography:
Sao Thao Sayaxang Lee, 70, passed away on March 23, 2014 at North
Memorial Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. Sao Thao Sayaxang Lee
was born on January 8, 1944 in Houaphanh Province, Laos. She was the
daughter of Gia Moua Thao and Chong Chang. On November of 1960,
she was married to Wangmeng Sayaxang Lee and they lived in Laos and
Thailand before making their home in Des Moines, Iowa in 1979. She
was a member of St. Ambrose Cathedral Church where she also worked
until she retired.
Sao Thao Sayaxang Lee will be missed by her husband, Wangmeng
Sayaxang Lee; 9 children, Maiker, Mee, Mai, Thay, Nou, Say, Bue
Long, Mong and Ray; 28 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Sao Thao Sayaxang Lee was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, sister, and friend; who loved and gave herself without
reservation. She devoted her life to her family, friends, community and
God with unconditional love and generosity. Sao Thao Lee leaves a
memorable legacy of love and caring that transcend generations. May
the grace of God receive her back into his kingdom of heaven; where
there's no darkness, no pain, no illness; where she may retire to all the
glory of his divine creation.
Xyo Thoj Sayaxang Lis muaj hnub nyoog 70 xyoo. Nws tau tso lub ntiaj teb no tseg rau hnub tim 23, lub
3hlis, 2014 nyob rau lub tsev kho mob North Memorial Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Xyo
Thoj Sayaxang Lis yug hnub tim 8, lub 1hlis, 1944 nyob rau xeev HouaPhanh, Teb Chaws Los Tsuas.
Nws yog ib leej ntxhais ntawm Nkias Muas thoj thiab Ntxoo Tsab.
Xyo thoj tau los koom ua neej nrog rau Vam Meej S. Lis rau lub 11hlis, xyoo 1960. Nkawm ua neej nyob
rau Los TsuasTeb, Thaib Teb. Xyoo 1978 nkawm tau cov nkawm tsev neeg tuaj nyob rau Des Moines,
Iowa los txog rau hnub Xyo thoj tau ncaim lub ntiaj teb no mus. Xyo thoj Sayaxang Lis yog ib tug neeg
ntseg hauv lub tsev Teev Ntuj St. Ambrose Cathedral Church thiab nws tseem yog ib tug neeg ua hauj
lwm rau hauv lub tuam tsev teev ntuj no txog rau hnub nws so.
Los txog rau hnub no, nws yuav tau tso nws tus txiv Vam Meej Sayaxang Lis, thiab nws cov me nyuam
Maiv Kawm Lis, Mim Lee, Thais Lis, Maib Lis, Hnub Lis, Nraim Lis, Npws Loob Lis, Hmoov Lis, Ray
Lis thiab 28 tug xeeb leej, 9 leej xeeb Ntxwv tseg.
Dear Mother-in-law,
Today, the Heavens cry because one more of God's angels has left this world. In
my heart, I have always believed that God created you to be my guardian angel
because I needed someone just like you. I can never thank you enough for showing
me that life can be so beautiful when you give freely of yourself to your fellow
men. May our Heavenly Father keep you safe in his mighty embrace and shower
you with the kind of love and compassion you have shown me a million times
over.
~ Lou Vang
“Mom, even though you are gone now, I will always be saying thank you and I
love you for every achievement I accomplish. It doesn’t matter how big or small
because it was you who gave me life to make it possible. ”
~ Say S. Lee
Sao Thao Sayaxang Lee
Mom, I love you and miss you so much.
~ Bue Long Lee
Nws yog ib tug zoo niam tsev, nws hlub niam hlub txiv, hlub kwv tig phooj ywg. Nws ua zoo tu
tej mej nyuam; nws yog ib tug niam muaj peev xwm heev, ua tau txua yam. Nws tsis cais leej
twg; tus twg tsis muaj chaw nyob los nws qhib rooj qhib siab lug rau lawv. Kev noj, kev haus
nws tsis cais. Tus txheeb, tus kem los nws hlub ib yam. Sao Thao Lee los ua neej nyob rau lub
ntiaj teb, nws tsim tau txiaj ntsim zoo. Thov Tswv Ntuj txais nws tus ntsuj plig mus nyob saum
ntuj ceeb tsheej, nyob tshav ntuj nrig.
To: My husband, children, grand-children, family and friends
From now on, I will not be there for you to see.
When the sun rises and you find your eyes full of tears for me.
I wish you not to cry for me today
Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong
And carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
~ Eric Clapton
While thinking of all the many things we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love and miss me; just as much as I do you.
Each time you think of me, please know that I am with you too.
When tomorrow starts and I'm not there, please understand
God came and called my name and took me by the hand.
You will always be in our hearts and minds. We love and miss you so much.
~ Mong, Nyab, Veeva, Jada & Xeeana Lee
“Mom Is a True Master to Me”
Mom is a true master to me.
Besides being a Mom.
She was my teacher, when I grew up.
She was my friend who I could share with.
She was my mentor, she taught me morals and integrity.
She was my banker, when I needed help financially.
She was my helper, when she was around.
She was my advisor, when I ran out of ideas.
She was my consultant, when I was not sure on things.
She was my guidance, when I was lost.
She was my role model; she taught me to be a woman.
She inspired me to be a better person.
She taught me love and respect.
She taught me how to save rather than spend.
She taught me to be strong rather than weak.
She taught me how to be disciplined rather than being lazy.
She taught me how to be a giving person rather than greedy.
She taught me to be neutral and not take sides.
Mom, you have no school education but you are all of the above.
I thank you for your love, your commitment and your teachings.
I will always cherish you and remember you for what you stand for.
I hope to pass it on to my children and the people around me.
Mom, you are a true master to me.
~ May Lee
He said, my home is ready in heaven far above,
I have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
As I turned my back away, tears filled my eyes,
For all my life, I never wanted to die.
I have so much to live for, so much still to do.
It seemed impossible leaving you.
I thought of yesterday, the good and bad
I thought of all the love we shared and had.
If I could relive yesterday, just for awhile
I’d say my good-byes and see your smile.
Then I walked through Heaven's Gates; I knew I was home.
I saw God looking down at me from his Golden Throne.
He said, “This is eternity, all I have promised you.
Today your life on earth has passed, now you start anew
I promise no worries of tomorrow, no longing for the past,
For there's always light and today will always last.
You have been so faithful, trusting, true and full of love
It is time for you to help from above.
Please take my hand and share my glory with me,
For now at last you are free.”
So my love, when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we are apart
To my mom,
I love you, and you will always be in my heart. Thank you and I miss you.
~ Thay Lee
Mom,
You mean so much to me. You are my role model. Thank you for inspiring me to
become a teacher. You've helped me to become the best that I could be. I love you.
~ Vua Lee
For every time you think of me
I am forever in your heart.
Put all your faith, trust and love in God like me
For when he calls your name, together we will be.
WITH GOD'S LIGHT, LOVE AND PEACE to you all
Sao Thao Sayaxang Lee
Hais rau kuv tus txiv, kuv cov me nyuam, cov phooj ywg txheeb ze thiab
tsev neeg txhua tus.
Hnub no kuv tau nciam nej mus uas tsis tau fij nej sawb daws xov.
Tag kis kaj ntug lub hnub ci stsa iab tawm tim npoo ntuj, nej ntsia yuav ci
nej qhov muag nej kua muag yuav los, kuv yog nyob rau qhov ntawm. Thaum nej
lub siab xav txog kuv nej hlub kuv, nej lub ncauj tsis hais los kuv yeej paub lawm
es nej tsis txhob quaj nawj mog.
Tswv ntuj hu kuv lub npe, kuv sawv tsees, nws cev tes los plws kuv taub
hau, thiab nws tuav kuv tes, nws hais rau kuv hais tias, kuv lub tsev nyob saum
ntuj ceeb tsheej twb npaj tau tiav tag lawm kom kuv mus, ces kuv yuav tau mus,
yuav tseg nej sawv daws cov uas kuv hlub thiab kuv tshua nyob tom qab mog.
Thaum kuv tig loo xub ntiag rhais nruam mus, kuv lub kua muag poob ntav
tsis xav mus vim tseem muaj ntau yam kuv tsis tau ua, tab sis kuv ua tsis tau lawm
ces kuv ua ib siab mus lawm es tseg nej nyob mog.
Hais Txoj kev sib nyiam sib hlub, kev ua zoo ua phem nws tsuas yog ib
vuag dua xwb. Kom nej nyob nej ua neeg ncaj ncees li Tswv Ntuj 10 lo lus qhia
ces nej thiaj tau txais koob hmoov, nej thiaj tau nyob ua lub ntsej muag luag ntshi
nyob mus li.
Qhia rau nej tias kuv mus txog ntawm Tswv Ntuj lub qhov rooj, nws qhib
kuv qhov rooj nws tuav kuv txhais tes, nws coj kuv mus saib kuv lub tsev, nws hais
tias ib puas tsav yam uas muaj txhij muaj txhua no yog koj li tag nro. Kuv yuav
nyob kaj siab lug mus tag ib txhis. Tsis muaj mob tsis muaj nkeeg, tsis muaj ploj
tsis muaj tuag, yeej yuav muaj ib hnub, kuv yuav ntsib nej. Peb yuav nyob ua ke
tag mus li.
To Our Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sao Thao S. Lee
No one knows how beautiful or meaningful life is until that faithful day when we must
return to our Heavenly Father's Kingdom. Only then can we truly see that our existence
has touched so many wonderful lives across countless generations and all that will be left
of our brief lives is the pride our children feel when they speak our names.
Children
Dear Mom,
I’ve always known and felt that I was very special to you because you told me that
you believed that you and I descended as mother and daughter from the
heavens. Before I was conceived, “You dreamt that there was a beautiful and
lovely butterfly that you were swirling downward with from heaven down to
earth.” Thank you for teaching me how to love and how to be strong. You, your
words and actions will always be my pillars of strength. Thank you for always
being there for me as my mom and friend. Words cannot express how much I love
and I miss you. You are and always will be forever in my heart.
~ Maiker Lee
My Dearest Mother-In-Law,
You are kind, brave, and strong. You are someone who has always been there to
lift other people's spirits and brighten up their days because of your loving and
compassionate nature. Your good characteristic has inspired me in more ways than
one. It broke my heart when I heard that God put his arm around you and put you
to rest but I believe that we will meet again in heaven. Thank you for everything
you have done for my family.
~ ZongYu Yang
Kuv yuav thov Tswv Ntuj kom Tswv Ntuj nrog nej nyob ua nej siab kaj lug.
Sao Thao S. Lee
Mom,
Thank you for giving me life,
Thank you for loving me even when I do not deserve it,
Thank you for forgiving me when I do you wrong,
Thank you for your words of wisdom and guidance,
I love you.
~ Kong Lee

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