Sam Lo Lai joined her loving husband, Soui A. Lai, in heaven, on the morning of February 25, 2021. Sam was surrounded by family and went peacefully in her daughter’s home at 1400 S. 2nd St, Clear Lake, IA.
Sam Lo Lai was born on March 1, 1922, in the village of Ban Nong in Sonla, Vietnam where she lived with her parents, Xua Van Lo and Aang Thi Quang, her older sister, Nhai Thi Lo, younger sisters Som Thi Lo and Seuy Thi Lo, and her younger brother, Xoung Van Lo. Sam’s grandfather, Seua Van Lo, and her father, were both Mayors (Chiefs) of the village where she grew up.
Sam married Soui A. Lai December 1, 1949 in Sonla, Vietnam. In 1951, during the communist revolution, they moved to Hanoi. After France was defeated at Dien Bien Phu, Sam and Soui moved to Laos for freedom and a better life. They flourished and started a family with the birth of their first child, Yeng, who is now joined with her parents in heaven. Then came a Son who graced them for a brief time. Sam miraculously then brought 9 more beautiful children into the world.
In 1977, when Laos was torn apart by war, the family escaped to Nongkhai, Thailand. They became refugees and lived there for three years. In 1980, they were sponsored by Our Saviours Lutheran Church, Mason City, IA, and settled in Clear Lake, IA. Sam and Soui risked their lives multitudes of times to ensure a better life for their family. That loving devotion to family remained true always.
Sam enjoyed tending her massive garden where she grew food to feed the family. She loved being outdoors and fishing, using pop cans as fishing poles. She saved and reused everything. There was nothing that went to waste. Sam lived life with a purpose to take care of her entire village of kids, grandkids and great grandkids. She mothered with fierceness and without restrain. Sam’s legacy lives on in the family she created and as the bravest, most loving, devoted, and caring person we had the honor of loving. Rest in heavenly peace as wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and now angel.
In Memory of
Sam Lo Lai
Wife of
Soui A. Lai
Mother of
Yeng Lai, Son, Ngane (Hoa) Luong, Pha (Mouang) Syvongxay, Meng (Keo) Lai,
Kong Lai, Hob Lai, Lin (Steve) Major, Katie (Kevin) Camphu,
Yin (Lee) Morris, Fun (Hilary) Lai
Grandmother of
Sing, Nola (Nathan), Dayne (Becca), Dianna (Joshua), Dalee, Shaylene, Amanda (Chris),
Angela, Lynda, Taylor (Amanda), Brandon, Christina (Spencer),
Ali, Tia, Mitch (Emily), Katherine
Great Grandmother of
Lily, Lukas, Kai, Aiden, Zui, Khit, Ambrose, Laeton, Maylynn,
Quinton, Aurora, Junior, Jaden, Willow, Meelah, Mia
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