Xia Vang Xiong

Xia Vang Xiong (Danville, IL) passed away on March 27, 2022 at the age of 74. Xia was born in Xieng Khouang, Laos. She worked hard as a farmer, supporting her husband and family in Laos until the Hmong involvement in the Secret War in Vietnam which forced her to flee with her family to a Thai refugee camp. She endured both struggles in Laos and the conditions of the refugee camp but fought to bring her family of nine to America through church sponsorship. Upon leaving the camp in 1979 with her family, she arrived in the United States and overcame the challenges in America to raise her family in Danville, IL.

Xia appreciated the opportunities she had in life. She loved her family and worked tirelessly to make sure food was on the table for her children before she left for work at 5am every day. She supported her family by working a variety of jobs from sewing graduation gowns at Herff Jones to being a line cook at Georges Buffet and Big Boy restaurants. She loved her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and siblings very much. She found joy in her gardening, sewing Hmong clothes, listening to kwv txhiaj, calling her family and friends, and having her family together to spend time with her. Everyone loved her spicy Thai chili peppers she grew and dried every year for the family and the Hmong New Years.

Xia was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Though she was not given an opportunity to obtain a formal education, she strongly instilled in her children the importance of education and how it could improve their lives. She was known for her endless determination, loving stubbornness to provide for her children, her unconditional love, friendship, generosity, and compassion. Xia always put her loved ones before herself and it is in this act of love that she will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Xia was preceded in death by her still-born child; her son, Lee Vong Xiong; her husband, Youa Ying Xiong; her granddaughter, Joyce Hlinra Xiong; her parents, Fa Tong Vang and Dia Xiong; and her brothers, Yia Vang and Kou Vang. Xia leaves behind her seven children: Michael (Mary Yang), Mai (Andrew Her), Jennifer Xiong (Gildas Lo), Christopher (Mor Ya), Peter, May Kao Xiong (Garett Gietzen), and Lee Shoua (Valisiti Vang). She is also survived by her thirty-five grandchildren: Timothy (Tiyas Bhattacharyya), Jeremiah, Sarah, Benjamin, David, and Amanda Xiong (Michael & Mary Xiong); Matthew (Kao Nou Xiong), Kassy, Luke (Nou Xiong), Shawn, Heidi, and Mason Her (Mai & Andrew Her); Alexia, Samuel, Sean, James, and Elizabeth Lo (Jennifer Xiong & Gildas Lo); Anthony, Kenneth, Patrick, Melissa, Dianna, Nathan Xiong and Lukey, Lisa, Chee Nou, Paj Nag Lee and Marc Xiong (Christopher & Mor Ya); and Destinni, Dejavette, Cecilia Yang and Tenji, Naturri, Genevieve, and Nyda Xiong (Lee Shoua Xiong & Valisiti Vang). Surviving siblings include brothers: Shong Yang Vang (Shoua), Youa Thao Vang (Ka), By Vang (Kao), and Geu Vang (Mai Kia); sisters: Mao Yang (See) and Pay Xiong (Vue); and sister-in-law, My Vang (wife of Xias late brother, Yia).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Noon on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 444 East Main Street, Danville, IL, 61832. Father Steven Loftus will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park in Danville, IL. Visitation/Memorial Service will be held from 8:00 10:30 AM Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Champaign, Illinois 710 N Neil St. Champaign, Illinois 61820

It is kindly requested that those in attendance of the Mass or Visitation wear a mask and practice social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, please send condolences to Michael Xiong at 923 Timberline Dr., Danville, IL 61832. Questions can be sent to mkxiong@gmail.com.

Please join Xias family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com .