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Giot Lu (Lo Thi)
GIOT LU (LO THI)
Cedar Rapids
Our beloved mother and grandmother, Giot Lu (Lo Thi), passed away peacefully with family by her side after a short battle with cancer on Oct. 23, 2021, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at the age of 87 years.
Giot was born on April 2, 1934, in Son La, Vietnam. She became an orphan at a young age, finding refuge in her Tai Dam village. After war broke out in Northern Vietnam, she fled south to Laos, and along the way met her husband, Lai Lu. She and Lai married in 1953. Together, they had eight children and settled in Vientiane, Laos. Due to prolonged war and Communism rules, the family escaped from Laos in early 1980 to Nong Khai, Thailand where they lived in a refugee camp for 8 months. In July 1980, Giot's husband, Lai, passed away unexpectedly. A month later in August 1980, she and her children migrated to Des Moines as refugees.
As a widowed mother, Giot raised her children to work hard and respect others. She took profound pride in caring for her 18 grandchildren, who knew her as Emya or Em Nai. Giot was gentle-hearted and devoted to her family, constantly putting loved ones before her own needs. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, gardening, going on walks, watching lakorn (Thai soap operas) and spending time with friends and family.
Giot forever will be remembered by her daughter, Viengkeo (Khambay) Angsouvan; sons, Bounmy Lu, Vieng (Manivong) Lu, Saman Lu and Samone (Chanh) Lu; 18 grandchildren, Andrew Angsouvan, Sam Angsouvan, Jerry Angsouvan, John Angsouvan, Aginda Lu, Alixandria (Phillip) Lu-Leng, Audriana (Blake) Lu-Uhlken, Benson Lu, Sebastian Lu, April Lu, Aliza Lu, Kendra Lu, Sullivan Jewett, Lian Lu, Brandon Lu, Nathan Lu, Risen Lu and Talan Lu; six great-grandchildren, Gabbriella, Noemie, Lilly, Lennox, Tyson and Ashton; her sister, Jing; and a community of loving family and friends.
Giot is preceded in death by her husband, Lai; sons, Chay, Lian and Man; five siblings; and two parents.
Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, Oct. 30, at Teahen Funeral Home. Giot will be laid to rest with her sons at Glendale Cemetery in the Tai Dam Section in Des Moines.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.
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