Died October 9, 2020.

Prairie Seeds Academy, Brooklyn Park, MN

Principal

Obituary:

Yang, Choua Lee 53, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020 with her family by her side in Minneapolis, MN. She endured over a month-long battle with COVID-19.

Choua was born on October 30, 1966 in San Luang, Laos. In 1978, she came to America and resided in Syracuse, NY. She married her husband Cha Ger Yang in 1985 and moved to MN in 1995 where she lived for the remainder of her life. Choua received numerous degrees up to her Master’s Degree at Saint Mary’s University in Educational Administration and K-12 Licensure. Choua discovered her passion for education when she began her teaching journey in 1996 as a bilingual Social Studies and Hmong Literacy teacher at Folwell Middle School.

In 2004, she became a Project Coordinator at Jenny Lind Elementary School. She moved on to become the Principal of St. Paul Family Learning Center in 2006. Choua returned to the Minneapolis Public School District as the Assistant Principal at North High School and then the ELL Director at the Minneapolis Schools Central Office.

One of Choua’s most valued accomplishments is when she founded and built Prairie Seeds Academy in 2004, a Hmong charter school in Brooklyn Park, MN. Choua, who was CEO, was a visionary and dedicated educator. Choua loved life. She was an extraordinary woman who saw the best in people. She was always able to lift others with her humor and high spirits. She faced challenges and obstacles with a smile and always trusted that everything happened for a reason.

To many, she was a light and a devoted friend. Her entire life was dedicated to serving others. For those that know her, know that she was selfless and had the kindest heart. She was so loved and will be missed by many.

Choua is survived by her husband, Cha Ger Yang; her children and their spouses, Crystal and Mong Vang, Jonathan and Teena Yang, Timothy and Betty Yang, Mychael and Foua Yang, and Amber and Kuh Chang; her grandchildren, Sean Yang, Alyssa Vang, Gavin Yang, Taylor Yang, Chloe Vang, Feyona Yang, Evelyn Yang, Ellie Vang, Roy Chang, Gwendalyn Yang, Chelsea Vang, Mychelle Yang, Miles Yang, and Parker Chang; her stepmother, Chao Thao Lee; her siblings and their spouses, Lymay and Chong Chou Ku, Matrix and Chente Lee, Alex and Jasmine Lee, Nhia and Patrick Clarke, Pahoua Lee, Mousa and Mao Lee, Shoua and Chong Lee, Mouda and See Lee; and many nieces and nephews. Choua is preceded in death by her parents, Pheng and Phomma Lee. kozlakradulovich.com “A Celebration of Life” 763-783-1100