Tong See Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Tong see, 72, died March 3, 2022 after a short illness at Kaweah Health Medical Center in Visalia, California where she lived for almost 28 years with her family. Tong is survived by her husband, Soung; her children, Lao, Chapou and Epou; her grandchildren, Khantee, Sanekham, Tina, John, Samantha, Josiah and Joleah; her great-grandchildren, Noelani, Kynali, Jrue and Liam; and her siblings. She is predeceased by her parents Lising and Ee tong; and eldest sister. Tong was born in Laos on February 15, 1950 to Lising and Ee tong. She grew up in a remote rural mountain village in Laos where she met and married her husband Soung. They were farmers as the rest of their family members. They had 7 children altogether, but unfortunately lost 4 children to illness due to lack of medical resources in their mountain village in Laos. Their lives were suddenly disrupted and had to immediately flee their home country and take refuge in Thailand during the Vietnam War. Tong and her family settled in a refugee camp then a mountainside village in Thailand with other relatives and friends. Soon after, Tong emigrated to the United States with her family in 1994 for a better life. Tong and her family settled in Visalia, California where many relatives resided before them. Tong was a homemaker. She took pride in caring for her family. She raised her children and helped raise her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed afternoon tea with her husband, sharing stories from her past, and spending time with family. She was a woman who believed in God, a woman with a generous heart to all she came across and not envious of others, and a woman who built a happy life with just the simple things in life. Over the years, Tong remained true to her culture and traditions- enjoying gardening, outdoor nature activities such as fishing and camping, and seamstress traditional custom outfits for her family for the annual Lahu New Year celebration. And she passed down these traditions to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Although she hadn't returned to Laos or Thailand to visit relatives, she kept them all close to her heart and was generous in supporting where she could monetarily. Tong lived a beautiful life filled with wonderful memories from her childhood and young adult life in Laos to her journey to America- a new country she called home for almost three decades. Tong will forever be deeply missed by her loved ones and all who knew her. And her memories will always be carried in their hearts. "With God's love and grace you shall pass into Heaven." Viewing will be held 4 PM - 7 PM Thursday, March 31st, 2022 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Viewing will be held 9 AM Friday, April 1st, 2022 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Graveside services will be held 10:30 AM Friday, April 1st, 2022 at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W Goshen Ave, Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Tong See

February 15, 1950 - March 3, 2022