Obituary

With deep love and profound sorrow, we announce the passing of Xe Xiong Vue (also known as Nthxeb Xyooj), of Des Moines, Iowa, on November 20, 2025. Xe was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and grandmother whose gentle spirit and giving heart touched every life she encountered. She was a woman whose presence was a blessing to all who knew her.

Xe was born during a war torn time in the northeastern rugged mountains of Houay Ho, Sam Nuea, Houaphanh Province, Laos, the daughter of Pa Ying Xiong (Paj Yeeb Xyooj) and Mai Chu Thao (Maiv Tswb Thoj). She was the youngest among the eight surviving children; having lost four younger brothers at an early age.

During the war, her only surviving brother took up arms in place of her father and as a result perished in the early years of the war. Her two elder sisters later married, leaving behind Xe the last residing unmarried daughter with her parents. She fled home with her ailing parents and made the perilous journey through the vast mountainous jungles of Laos. She encountered many challenging obstacles such as being captured, escaping and miraculously reuniting with her parents, losing her father, and then shortly after her mother. Starving, orphaned and alone she clung to hope and extended family for survival as they continued to travel south through the mountains and eventually crossed the Mekong River into Thailand. Her strength and resilience carried her through a time of profound hardship.

Following the end of the war she met and married Tong Chee Vue (also known as Hawj Vwj) in Nong Khai, Thailand in May 1979. In February 1980, Xe and her husband were granted refugee status and resettled to Royal, Arkansas. They later relocated to Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and finally called Iowa home.

Xe was blessed with 13 children, she loved and cherished them with all her heart. She dedicated her life to nurturing, guiding and showing them unconditional love. Her children were her greatest pride and joy, and she loved them more than anything in this world.

Known for her sweetness, her generous spirit, and her joyful, talkative personality, Xe made everyone around her feel cherished. She gave more than she had, loved deeper than words could express, and cared for others with a kindness that will be forever remembered.

Xe was a hardworking vegetable farmer who poured her strength and devotion into the land. For more than 20 years, she faithfully tended her fields and shared the fruits of her labor with her community. She sold her produce at the local farmers markets in Oskaloosa, Pella, Des Moines, and Ankeny. Where her warm smile, generosity, and dedication were known by many. She loved teaching others about how to grow their own food and took great joy in showing customers how to cook with the vegetables she harvested. For her, farming was not just work — it was a way to nourish others, educate, and give back to the community she loved.

Xe lived a life anchored in faith. Her love for God was unwavering—steady, comforting, and central to everything she did. She carried her beliefs with humility and quiet strength, sharing God’s love through her actions and her endless willingness to give. Her faith guided her, strengthened her, and shone through her warm smile and the sense of peace she brought to others.

In times of weariness, she drew strength from her faith. As Scripture reminds us:
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”— Isaiah 40:31

Xe’s legacy is one of love, faith, generosity, and selflessness. She leaves behind a family who adored her, a community grateful for her kindness, and a lifetime of memories rooted in compassion and devotion. Though her physical presence is no longer with us, her faith and the seeds of love she planted will continue to bloom in the hearts of all who knew her.

Her family takes comfort in knowing she is now resting in God’s eternal embrace, surrounded by the peace she so faithfully believed in.

In her heart, she held a deep belief in the promise of heaven. As Jesus said,
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” — John 14:1-3

And we wholeheartedly believe she is there now, preparing a place for us, just as she always did here on earth.

She is preceded in death by her parents Pa Ying Xiong (Paj Yeeb Xyooj) and Mai Chu Thao (Maiv Tswb Thoj); her brothers Tsheej, Tswb, Ntsuas and Npis Xiong; her sisters Ntsum and Ntxoob Xiong; her daughter Molica Vue; and her grandson Skyler Vue

She is survived by her husband Tong Chee Vue; her sons Jet, Chakong, Jeconiah, and Chuefeng Vue; her daughters May Otto, Goua Vue, Gaoder Austin, Nancy Vue, Allisa Vue, Jennica Vue, Pafoua Chanthavong, and Nalie Vue; her sons-in-law Yee Vang, Andrew Otto, Alan Austin and Sam Chanthavong; her daughter-in-law Bao Yang Vue; her sister Mao (Mos) Xiong; her grandchildren Thomas Vue, Cody Vue, Kayle Vue, Emmanuel Vue, Madison Vue, Arthur Otto, Logan Vang, Elliana Vang, Raina Austin, Lily Austin and Lucas Chanthavong; as well as many extended family members and friends.

Friday, December 12, 2025 - Visitation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Family Time will be from 2 p.m to 4 p.m., Church Service from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by dinner and visitation hours up to 9 p.m. at Iles Grandview Park Chapel, 3211 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317

Saturday, December 13, 2025 - Visitation from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Burial Service will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Iles Grandview Park Chapel, followed by an escort procession to Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 7601 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50321

Arrangements by Iles Grandview Chapel

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