Kao Vang

Kao Vang from Saint Paul, MN, age 47, passed away surrounded by family and friends on 10/26/2025 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center ICU from Hepatitis B complications while waiting for a liver. He missed it by just 1 day... 1 DAY!

Kao is the youngest of 6 children. Born in a refugee camp in Thailand on 8/4/1978. He came to the US with his family as refugees in 1980 when he was only 1 and a half years old. The family landed in Iowa and lived there to 1984, until his father got really sick after surgery to check his liver pain (medical technology wasn't as advanced as today; they also messed up the surgery). The family then moved to Wausau, Wisconsin to be with relatives because his father knew he didn't have long. There were few relatives in Wisconsin and even fewer in Iowa so they moved again to Minnesota in 1984. Father went straight to the hospital and passed away soon after from Hepatitis B at the young age of 39 leaving behind his mother to care for all 6 children by herself. Oldest brother also passed away from Hepatitis B.

Kao went to Highland Park Senior High School in Saint Paul and made a lot of friends, who are still friends to this day and is known to them as Bolo in reference to the martial arts actor Bolo Yeung who starred with Bruce Lee. He worked as a machine operator and enjoyed weight lifting, video games, watching football and hanging out with his friends. Kao is preceded in death by father, Cha Toua Vang, mother La Thao, and older brother Blong Vang.

He is survived by siblings, Kanbe (Bee) Vang, Lee Vang, Kou Vang and May Vang; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He will very much be missed by all those who knew him and will forever be in our hearts and minds.

A celebration of Kao's life will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater, MN 55082 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Burial will be on Monday, November 24, 2025 at Oakland Cemetery.