Funeral Expense for Benjemin

Family and Friends.

I am the older sister of Ela Vang and I want to share a little bit about her loss. A loss that took place recently.

Ela Vang is 43 years old, married and wife to Benjemin Xiong (Ben), and mother to 3 beautiful daughters, ages 11, 15 and 17. Married for 19 years, she worked faithfully for Kelber Catering, rarely did she ever miss work. Providing and caring for her family was the most important thing for her. Always thinking about her family first, making sure there is always a roof over their head, food in the house, bills are paid and that all their essential needs are met. Managing her financials responsibly is a must for her

But no matter how responsible and prepared a person tries to be, life still throws us unexpected surprises. On June 1st 2022, Ben went to the hospital for shortness of breath, stomach pain and edema. For the past two years Ben had visited the ER several times due to chronic heart failure. However this time, after running some tests, they were told that his heart was getting worse and not getting any better. He remained in the hospital overnight for observation. Upon discharge, the doctors told him that he had maybe about 2 weeks before his heart might give out and that next step for him would be Hospice Care. Wanting to be near his family, he chose Hospice Care at home so that any remaining time he may have left can be spent with his wife, his children and family. We all thought it was a miracle that he had made it to his birthday, June 20. We were all so happy and thankful that we were able to celebrate his birthday with him. With each passing day that he got to spend with his family, was a gift from God.

With Ben’s pain coming and going every day, he remained strong. Taking one day at a time, Ela continued to work full time while caring for her husband. There were days that were hard but Ben chose to be happy and we can hear his laughter throughout the house. He would share stories of when and how he first met my sister to his daughters. Not knowing when his heart may give out, they even planned a vacation trip to Wisconsin Dells. Another memory they will keep and remember forever.

Then on July 13 , 2023 my sister went to work early that morning and her oldest daughter woke up and stayed by her dad’s side tending his needs. For some time he had been having difficulties in finishing his food and keeping his food down but that morning he asked his daughter to prepare some food for him and to her surprise, he finished everything on the plate and told her that it was the best meal he had ever eaten, because it was her that fed him. Later that afternoon, my sister came home from work eager to speak to him, but found him unresponsive. Believing that his position was making it difficult for him to breathe she tried to help him by repositioning him. In doing so, she discovered that his body had stiffen up. As she continued to try and wake him up by moving his body and his legs, she felt him leave his body and she knew that he was gone. It was as if he had been waiting for her to come home so he could hear her voice and feel her touch one last time before his heart gave it one last beat. That day was a very sad day for everyone. My brother-in-law passed away at age 41. That day we lost a husband, we lost a father, we lost a brother, we lost a brother-in-law, we lost a son.

My sister did her best to save money for her husband’s funeral expenses while providing for her household but after calculating all the expenses, it seems she is still short. My sister and my three nieces have been through so much and I want to help them out by organizing this GoFundMe to help relieve some of the financial burdens so she can focus on planning her husband’s funeral with less stress.

Your love and support is greatly appreciated. Any donation will go a long way.