Nhia Yer P. Yang

Nhia Yer Pakao Yang was born on May 6, 1950 in Laos. He was the youngest of six children born to Sai Chou Yang and Mai Thao. Nhia Yer had three brothers and two sisters. While most of his family were farmers and businessmen, Nhia Yer wanted an education. He attended a French Catholic boarding school through high school, but his education ended because he could not afford to continue. As a result, he joined the Hmong Army to help with the secret war in Laos and served as an artillery officer.

In 1978, Nhia Yer, Mee, and their three daughters, were the first wave of Hmong refugees to resettle in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Nhia Yer quickly embraced the opportunity to start a new life and in June 1981, he received his Associates degree in welding. He truly believed that education was the only path to a better life in America and instilled the importance of education and the value of hard work and discipline in his eight children.

In 1997, Nhia Yer became an elder of the Hmong Alliance Church in Banning, California. As a church elder, one of his favorite things (other than learning and discussing the word of God) was to mentor the young people about the importance of education and hard work.

Throughout his life, Nhia Yer enjoyed working with his hands and being outside. He especially enjoyed deer hunting, working on cars, and raising roosters. He loved all kinds of music, from Bollywood hits to Bon Jovi; he enjoyed sporting events such as boxing, soccer, and professional wrestling. He was an adventurous individual, who was not afraid to lead and take on change.

After many years of battling different illnesses, including Lewy Body disease, Nhia Yer returned home to his God and reunited with his beautiful daughter, Mayvone, on June 30, 2020. He is survived by his loving wife of over 50 years, Mee, long with his seven children: Kana, Kanong, David, Sandy, Jimmy, Erica, and Sara; his five grandchildren: Titus, Kalia, Samuel, Ethan, and Maya; and many nieces, nephews, and relatives. Gone, but never forgotten, Nhia Yer’s legacy will live on in all the lives that he has touched, especially in his children and grandchildren.