Chau Kue

Chau Koua Kue, age 81 of Mohnton, PA passed away on April 6, 2021. He was born on March 10, 1940 in Pha Boun, Nong Het, Xieng Khouang, Laos to Chai Lue Kue and Ying Yang. He was the youngest son and the fifth child. He has 3 older brothers, an older sister and 2 younger sisters.

In Laos, Chau attended school for a few months before war broke out. In 1962 he stopped going to school and began military training in Thailand as a member of battalion 1. In 1969 he became part of the recconiciense team for the Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) where he spent the majority of his youth and adulthood. It has always been his dream to continue his education, but he was unable to do so. His dream to pursue an education was transferred to his nephews and children.

During this time he married Yee Hang. They have seven children, 5 sons and 2 daughters. After fleeing Laos, they arrived in Thailand and lived in refugee camps until 1978.  Then he and his family came to the United States and settled in Philadelphia, PA. Chau’s family was the first of many Hmong families sponsored by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Simeon. With the help and love of the church community, they started over in a foreign country with limited resources. He became a devoted church member. With the help of St. Simeon, he was able to sponsor and bring his older brother Xao Ge’s family to the United States and settled in Philadelphia with him. He was instrumental in the creation of the Hmong Community Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1981, they had their youngest son.

He was a prominent and respected member of the Hmong Community in Philadelphia and served as president of the Hmong United Association of Pennsylvania for a few years. Besides his devotion to the Hmong community, he loved fishing and gardening. He was a big fan of Wrestling, MMA boxing, bull fighting, soccer, and Hmong movies.

Chau leaves behind his wife, his seven children, 28 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.