Kim Loan Thi Pham

Kim Loan Thị Phạm — a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, music enthusiast, and adventurous foodie. Kim Loan was born in Ha Tien, Vietnam, on May 16, 1954, and passed away peacefully on November 24, 2025. After leaving Vietnam as a refugee, Kim Loan made her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she built a life filled with love and resilience. Kim Loan is survived by her devoted husband, Thanh; her beloved daughters Van, Ngan, and Tran; her sons-in-law Hoang and Keith; and three cherished grandchildren.

Kim Loan was a kind and joyful soul whose warmth touched everyone around her. She loved to laugh, and her humor was loud, playful and contagious. She found happiness in simple pleasures—cooking, gardening, and music. Her life was always accompanied by melodies, whether they were heartfelt Vietnamese ballads, lively pop hits from the 1980s, or the dramatic soundtracks of her favorite Chinese soap operas.

Cooking was Kim Loan’s love language. In the early 1980s, she worked tirelessly to recreate the flavors of her homeland in a place where ingredients were scarce. Over time, she became known for her pho and egg rolls, but her children treasure the memory of everyday meals she prepared from scratch with care. Her kitchen was a gathering place for family and friends, and her nurturing spirit extended beyond her immediate family—welcoming relatives for extended stays and later caring for two beloved dogs when her children had grown.

Gifted with an artistic touch and a warm, welcoming spirit, she could strike up a conversation with anyone she met. She lived her life with a heart full of generosity, always putting others first. If someone was in need, she would give the very clothes off her back—or even the money from her husband’s pocket, since she never carried cash herself.

Kim Loan also had a remarkable green thumb. Plants thrived under her care, just as her children thrived under her guidance and love. Today, they carry forward her legacy in their own families and careers, a testament to her strength and devotion.

We will deeply miss Kim Loan’s radiant smile, her laughter, and the wisdom she shared so generously. Her memory will live on in the meals we cook, the gardens we tend, and the music that reminds us of her vibrant spirit. We love you Kim Loan, and will carry you with us.

A visitation with family and friends will be held from 4pm to 6pm on Friday December 5, 2025 at Memorial Alternatives located at 2432 Fuller Ave. NE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505.

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