Nao Thao Yang

Nao Thao Yang, age 77, of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026, at UnityPoint Meriter Hospital surrounded by her family, leaving behind a memorable legacy of her strong faith in the Lord and love for her family.

Nao was born on December 16, 1948, in the Village of Chao Ying, Louangphabang Province, Laos.  She was the youngest daughter and child of Bla Ying Thao and Lue Yang Thao, and sister to 3 sisters and 4 brothers. 

On February 17, 1963, Nao married Chou Wang Yang and together they started a family. However, the withdrawal of the U.S. military from Southeast Asia at the conclusion of the Vietnam War placed U.S. allies at great personal risk. Consequently, Nao and her husband Chou along with their four young children (Choua, Chia, Solo and Kennedy) were forced to flee their homeland as refugees. They settled in Fort Atkinson, WI, on March 15, 1976, through the sponsorship of Trinity Lutheran Church of Fort Atkinson. Upon settling in the area, Nao stayed home to care for her 4 young children and eventually worked at McCain Foods in Fort Atkinson where she retired in 2013.

While in the U.S., Nao and Chou’s family grew and they had five additional children (Malia, Nathalie, Amy, Elizabeth and Abraham). Nao loved the outdoors and enjoyed gardening, sewing, and cross stitching. She enjoyed spending time on her hobby farm seeing and working on her bird farm and operating a booth at the Fort Atkinson Farmers Market until she had a stroke in 2023, resulting in left side paralysis. She was an incredibly generous, loving compassionate individual and was always happy to provide a helping hand to anyone that was in need.

Nao was a dedicated Christian, her faith in the Lord was a strong part of her life.  She always believed in the greatness of the Lord and the power of prayer.  During times of hardship and happiness, she would always lean onto her faith to guide her. 

Though Nao has left us all unexpectedly, her memory will continue to live on in our hearts.  Her smile, laughter, and talkative spirit will forever be remembered by many.  May she now rest in the Lord’s glory and embrace the loved ones who preceded her.

Nao is survived by her, daughter Choua (Lee) Her, son Chia Yang, son Solo (Mang) Yang, son Kennedy (Mai) Yang, daughter Malia Yang, daughter Nathalie (Por) Xiong, daughter Amy Yang, daughter Elizabeth (Joe) Sallaz, and son Abraham Yang, as well as 19 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, sister Yer Thao, and brother Tou Thao.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Chou W. Yang, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters.

Services will be held on Saturday, June 27th, at Faith Community Church in Fort Atkinson from 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m. for service and prayers followed by visitation from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and meal from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nao will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. later that day.

Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.

www.DunlapMemorialHome.com

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