Chong Cha Kim was born February 5, 1921, during the height of Japanese dominion prior to World War II. Her birth place was Myung Chun, the northern border of Chosun, which is now known as North Korea. She married and gave birth to 4 children during and after WWII, two of whom survived. In 1949, after WWII and the division of Chosun into North and South Korea, she smuggled herself and her two surviving daughters across the DMZ to Seoul to join her husband, an officer of the South Korean Army. During the early part of the war, she was separated from her daughters. After the fighting stopped, she combed the country and found her daughters in an orphanage near the Pusan perimeter where the two daughters had fled on their own and were rescued by American soldiers before the Pusan Breakout. They returned to Seoul where they lived during the rebuilding of South Korea.
She emigrated to the United States in 1977 to join her younger daughter, Kyong (Songhe) Christen, who had married an American, Lyle Christen, and their children, Kent and Amy. She was joined by her older daughter, Seung Kim’s family which included 4 children: Sue Yun; Jin Oo; Do Yun; and Youn Jung. Chong helped raise her six grandchildren while her daughters and son-in-laws worked. Her grandchildren grew up to become an Air Force officer, an attorney, entrepreneurs and business owners, and a Broadway performer and acupuncturist. Chong is also survived by six great grandchildren aged 20 months to 10.
Chong Cha Kim passed away Sunday 7 August 2011, at home and in the presence of 3 generations of her family. Harmony (Grandmom)—thank you for all you have done for us. We love you and you will be missed.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.rungemortuary.com. Memorials may be made to the Korean United Methodist Church of the Quad-Cities, 2200 Central Avenue, Bettendorf, IA 52722.
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