by Linda Lindeke
Wana and Teng Vue from Kiatoukaysy Farm have been vendors at our Farmers’ Market for many years. The relationship between this family and St. John’s began in 2012, when Wana’s parents Lao Vachong and Sao Kiatoukaysy, and two other families from our companion parish Church of Holy Apostles, envisioned a program to provide fresh produce to St. John’s and the wider community. In addition to the market itself, Lao and Sao also worked with St. John’s members Cammie Beattie and Shirley Sailors to incorporate the Fields to Families program, which uses donations gathered at the market to buy produce from the farmers and distribute it to our local hunger relief partners..
Tragically, Lao passed away in 2014, and Sao was unable to continue working at the farmers’ market. That was when her daughter Wana and son-in-law Teng took over the family’s Forest Lake farm to carry on the legacy and love for farming, in addition to having full-time jobs and raising their four sons.
Sao died in 2022, and as the large family mourned the loss of their parents, they pledged to gather each year in their honor.
On a recent Sunday, Wana and Teng left their sons in charge of the St. John’s market stall to attend a very special service at Holy Apostles. To a packed church, several Lao Vachong and Sao Kiatoukaysy Scholarships were presented to youth in the congregation.
In 2016 Wana’s brother Lo Neng Kiatoukaysy, the Executive Director of the Hmong American Friendship Association of Milwaukee established the memorial scholarship program and since then other families have matched his contribution. To date, 16 young people have received funds. To be eligible for the competitive scholarships, students must be active members of Holy Apostles by participating in the Youth Group and/or serving as readers and acolytes. One recipient has already progressed to master’s degree studies.
Reverend Wa Meng Lor, Vicar of Holy Apostles was interviewed for this article and provided a very personal description of his relationship with the Kiatoukaysy family. Reverend Lor left Laos in the late 1970s as a teenager, leaving behind all his family members in that war-torn country. When he arrived at the refugee camp in Thailand Wana’s parents took him into their family. He said the children all grew up together for several years in the camp. The Kiatoukaysys left for the US before he did; he was eventually resettled in Denver where he finished high school. Once he graduated, Wana’s father urged him to move to Minnesota. Reverend Lor says he feels like Lao Vachong Kiatoukaysy was indeed his an older brother and that he is a real uncle to Wana, her siblings and their children. He said it is increasingly rare to see multiple generations of Hmong families continuing the farming and marketing legacy of their parents and grandparents.
There is another legacy here to point out. The family holds a portrait of Lao Vachong and Sao Kiatoukaysy. Notice Wana’s mother’s beautiful smile. Notice the children and grandchildren’s expressions. You can see how this generous, faithful family transmits caring as they continue Lao and Sao’s legacy.
St John’s is blessed by the presence of this faithful Holy Apostles family each summer Sunday. Future generations at Holy Apostles benefit by the generosity of these scholarships. Father Lor has an adopted family that sustains him in his ministry and leadership. That is indeed a legacy of this remarkable Hmong couple Lao VaChong and Sao Kiatoukaysy.
