Hongkham Phothirath

Hongkham Phothirath age 58, died peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Friday, November 4, 2022 in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, after a courageous battle with cancer. Hongkham was born in Savannakhet, Laos to Kone and Phong Phothirath on January 28, 1964. He was the youngest of 7 children. He completed high school and went on to train at a vocational school to learn the electrician trade. Shortly after finishing school, he met his wife, Daravanh, and they married in 1989. During this time, their country went through a power changeover with many citizens attempting to escape the new regime. Hongkham and Daravanh fled their country of Laos and were fortunate to find solace in Phanat Nikhom Refugee Camp in Thailand. Four months passed while in the camp and Daravanh gave birth to their first born, Napaporn. While many refugees spent years in camps awaiting their resettlement to the US, Hongkham and Daravanh were blessed to have only spent six months in the camp before their case was approved. They immigrated to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1990 with their two month old daughter, and began their new life with only the clothes on their backs and $50 in their pocket. The hardworking man he was, he found all sorts of jobs to put a roof over his family's head and keep them fed. In 1993, Daravanh gave birth to their second child, Bob, and in this same year, Hongkham fell gravely ill. He was told his liver was failing and he had only days to live. Within a couple days of admission to the hospital, he would be airlifted to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he would receive an emergency life saving liver transplant. Thanks to the wonderful team at the Mayo, he was able to recover amazingly well after surgery, and went on to live a fulfilling life singing karaoke, growing all sorts of plants and vegetables in his garden, remodeling his home many, many times, and making tons of friends along the way. Hongkham worked at General Mills for 25+ years where he was a dedicated employee and a beacon of light to his co-workers. He was easily loved for his easy going personality and ability to treat others fairly and respectfully. He loved having fun and would later become the president of a social group dedicated to throwing celebrations called Samakhom Lao Weekend. He will be remembered for always having a smiling face, his kind and giving heart, and a strong perseverance for life. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Hongkham is survived by his wife, Daravanh, two children; Napaporn (Zachary) Lehmkuhl, and Bob (Ciera), two grandchildren; Ethan and Elanna, siblings; Sousounthone (Bounsouane), Keopheth (Phetsouvang), and Chantha (Sipaseurth) Xayasine. He was preceded in death by his parents Kone and Phong, and siblings; Khamphoune, Khamkhoune, and Khamphet. Visitation will be held at the family's home November 4 - 12, 2022, as per Laotian tradition. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 13, 2022 with visitation beginning at 12:00 PM and service beginning at 2:00 PM at Washburn-McReavy Crystal Lake Funeral Chapel and Cemetery located at 3816 Penn Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412.

Tributes

Hongkham Phothirath

January 28, 1964 - November 4, 2022

Tributes

Hongkham Phothirath

January 28, 1964 - November 4, 2022

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