Mi Ran Ko

Positivity and being logical are trademark qualities that friends and family might use to describe Mi Ran Ko. Mi Ran was an intuitive person. She was the type of person who could comfortably get lost in her thoughts, someone who had tremendous problem solving abilities. Always conscientious and focused on details, Mi Ran was a person who loved to imagine the possibilities of life.

Mi Ran was born on July 16, 1953 at home in Seoul, South Korea to Bock Sang and Bok Rae Kim. She was raised in South Korea with one sibling, Sei Ran Kim. Mi Ran was the type of person who enjoyed being alone rather than be part of a large crowd. She could be content for hours in some activity or be lost in her own imagination.

In grade school, Mi Ran gravitated toward others who shared similar interests and enjoyed academics more than physical activity. She was always curious about what made things work, and she would excel at the things that called more for "brain" power. She was a member of the church at a very young age and loved to sing. During high school, she was a member of her school choir. She could delight more in problem solving than in the more routine school work. She graduated from Soongeu Girl's High School in 1971. Her favorite classes in high school were music and home economics. She later earned her A.A. in Nursing from Red Cross College of Nursing in South Korea. Her favorite courses were her OB/GYN courses. She was proud of her nursing skills, especially during surgery.

On January 13, 1976 she exchanged wedding vows with Jung Chan Ko at the Christian Taewha Building of Seoul, South Korea. With Jung Chan, Mi Ran grew and became more balanced because of their love and compassion. Together they were blessed with three children, Melanie, Esder, and John. They were also blessed with six grandchildren, Shannon, Kate, Ethan, Chloe, Colin, and Laurence. Mi Ran's had a sense of fun and the children always knew how much Mi Ran loved them.

Mi Ran's strong sense of faith helped her remain focused on the needs and concerns of others. These values brought her strength and helped to reinforce the importance of both her faith and the practice of her religion. She was a member of Pilgrim Church in Las Vegas for two years. Before that, she went to Good Shepherd Church in Los Angeles for 25 years. During that time, she was involved in the church kitchen where she fed up to 1000 members. She loved making food and feeding people, never wanting anyone to feel hungry (even when they were already full!)

Mi Ran found joy in cooking for her family and attending church. She would also recreationally play table tennis and bowl. She also enjoyed watching the Olympics and World Cup whenever they came around. Whatever she did, she always loved being with her family, and she would enjoy traveling anywhere she could to spend time with them.

Mi Ran Ko passed away on April 11, 2020 at home in Las Vegas. She is survived by her husband, Jung Chan Ko; daughters, Melanie and Esder; son, John; and grandchildren, Shannon, Kate, Ethan, Chloe, Colin, and Larry. She also leaves many church members to cherish her memory. Services were held at Palm Southwest Mortuary. Mi Ran was laid to rest at Palm Eastern Cemetery.

Those who knew and loved Mi Ran will miss her quiet gentleness, her curiosity and her ability to often turn work situations into fun experiences. She leaves all those who knew her with many wonderful memories.