On March 1, 2022, Bruce Nyaj Xyooj Lee, age 58, passed from this world peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones. With the help of his wife, Chue Moua, Bruce fought bravely against a brain tumor for almost a year with courage and dignity in the comfort of his home. He was lovingly cared for by his wife in his last days and comforted by his children, siblings, and loved ones.

Bruce was born on September 29, 1964, in Laos to Txhaj Yig Lee and Paaj Vang. He was the oldest of three and cared very much for his younger brother and sister. When Bruce was still a child, his mother passed away, and he and his siblings faced many hardships. Despite his childhood struggles, he kept a positive outlook on life, developed a strong work ethic, and learned to be resourceful to achieve his dreams.

During the Vietnam War, Bruce escaped across the Mekong River to Ban Vinai, a refugee camp in northern Thailand where he met his wife, Chue Moua. He believed deeply in family values and education and was able to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher by teaching Thai to elementary grade students. Bruce and Chue had three children in Ban Vinai, but later in life, they had a total of 11 children.

On November 20, 1987, Bruce immigrated with his family to the United States and settled in St. Paul, MN. Bruce continued to pursue his passion for education and received his GED from Central High School. In 1991, Bruce moved his family to Menomonie, WI, and earned his bachelor’s degree from Stout with a major in Human Development and Family Studies.

After earning his degree, Bruce used his education to aid struggling diasporic families as a Project Coordinator for the Liberty Plaza Council in St. Paul, MN. He led after-school mentoring programs and planned field trips for low-income children and teens. As adults, some of these children and teens remember Bruce fondly and the difference he made in their lives. In Wisconsin, Bruce also helped Hmong families by working with the Hmong American Community Association and the Hmong 18 Council.

Bruce was an entrepreneur and had a lifelong passion for learning and teaching outside of work and community involvement. This led him to study many eastern Chinese philosophies such as Chinese astrology, Feng Shui, and I Ching. He traveled to multiple Asian countries and studied under the tutelage of knowledgeable mentors. After extensive research, Bruce shared his knowledge with the Hmong community by self-publishing calendars and 12 books on these topics. He continued to write until he was diagnosed and no longer able to.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Chue Moua, and 11 children: Mai Bla Lee, Mai Pang Lee, Mai Cha Marks, Yer Lee, Nou Lee, Hli Lee, Paaj Naag Lee, Alex Kaying Lee, Vang Neng Lee, Kib Lee, and Peevxwm Lee. His loving grandchildren are Serena Yang, Iroh Marks, Titan Marks, and Iris Lee. His brother is Cha Fong Lee, and his sister is Mor Lee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Txhaj Yig Lee and Paaj Vang.

Bruce’s funeral service will be at Legacy Funeral Home, West Chapel at 255 Eaton Street, St. Paul, MN 55107. It will be held from Saturday, April 9 to Sunday, April 10, with the burial on Monday, April 11. (Masks are required.)

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Our dad was a masterful storyteller and dedicated most of his life to sharing knowledge and teaching others. He instilled a love for reading and lifelong learning in all of us. We will forever love and remember him as a dad who was strict but could also be playful and witty and who never turned down an opportunity to share a folktale with a good moral lesson. He left behind a legacy that will live through us, and we will continue to honor him, knowing he is now watching over us.

We appreciate everyone’s support and compassion during this challenging time. We hope you’ll be able to join us to celebrate our dad’s life and see him one last time. We understand that due to the pandemic and travel, not everyone will be able to attend his service, but if you wish to leave a donation, you can Venmo his daughter at @maiblalee or give directly on this platform.

And lastly, in honor of our dad’s love of storytelling and knowing he has touched many lives, it would bring us comfort if you could share a story or memory of him and how he’s touched your life. Thank you for being a part of our lives and our dad’s. 

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