March 10, 1952 – July 6, 2023
Oulay Mixayvanh, nee Khanma, age 71, of Dyer, IN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Beloved wife of Kanh Mixayvanh. Loving mother of Phonesavanh (Johnny) Rossi and Phetsakhone (Susan) Mixayvanh. Cherished grandmother of Gabe, Bella and Luca Rossi, Hailey, Phetkye, Bane, and Gavin Mixayvanh. Preceded in death by her parents Bounexay and Sivay Khanma. Oulay was loved by many and will be dearly missed.
Her story started in Thailand where she was born. Raised by missionary parents who instilled a strong value and faith in God, she radiated those values. Their faith took them into Laos where a church was formed. She then married, built a family of four that would later escape Laos and ultimately journey half way across the world for a better life in the United States. Her love of life, love of God, and love of cooking brought joy to everyone around her, and she showed it to everyone. Her story doesn’t end with her death, but continues through her husband, children, and grandchildren.
Visitation Friday, July 14, 2023, from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Bethel Christian Reformed Church, 3500 Glenwood Lansing Rd., Lansing, IL. Funeral service Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Bethel Christian Reformed Church. Interment Oak Ridge Cemetery – Lansing, IL. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of the Calumet Area (www.hospicecalumet.org). Arrangements entrusted to Smits Funeral Home, 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN.
I taught Phetsakhone at Illiana Christian High School and wanted to convey my sympathies. The mother of someone as thoughtful and artistically gifted atsPhets must have been an amazing person indeed..