Blia Her

On November 3, 2022 Blia Moua Her was called home by our Lord and Savior. She was a devoted mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and sister-in-law who left us all too soon at 48 years of age. She courageously battled breast cancer and leukemia for the past 3 years and was surrounded by family and friends at her home

in Lenexa, KS as she passed.

 

Blia was born in 1974 to (Tooj Ntxawg Muas) Yer Moua and (Ntxhais Lis) Sy Lee Moua in Long Cheng, Xieng Khouang Province, Laos. In September 1976, Blia’s parents immigrated to the United States and relocated to Tennessee. In September 1979, her family moved to Wisconsin to be closer to other Hmong families, where Blia would start her formal education. Blia was an excellent student, diligent in her studies and unparalleled in her work ethic. She had a deep love of learning which carried her throughout her elementary and middle school years, ultimately taking her to the top of her class. In 1992 Blia graduated as Valedictorian from Neenah High School, an accomplishment which she had been focused on since starting school. Blia would receive a full academic scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in May of 1997, becoming one of only a handful of Hmong women at that time to have achieved an undergraduate degree in Engineering. Blia would further continue her education and complete her Masters of Science in Civil Engineering in May of 2000, very likely becoming the first Hmong woman to ever do so. She has always referred to her time in college as one the greatest experiences in her life where she made the best of friends and created relationships that would last for a lifetime.

 

In the summer of 1996, Blia met the love of her life, Fu Her, through a mutual friend. Their love match and in 1998 they were engaged. In the Spring of 2001 Blia and Fu had their traditional Hmong marriage ceremony, and on May 5, 2001, Blia and Fu were officially married in the eyes of the court. Blia would move to Kansas City, KS where she was employed as a civil engineer at Black and Vetch, remaining there for 18 years until her illness would no longer allow her to do so. In the summer of 2002 Blia and Fu would purchase their first home in Merriam, KS. Excited to finally have a home of their own, Blia and Fu looked forward to starting a family and on November 18, 2003 they welcomed their first child, Trinity Her. Being a mother for the first time was very exciting for Blia and she embraced it with love and passion. As both Blia and Fu’s careers grew, so did their desire to expand their family. In the spring of 2008, Blia and Fu started the process of adoption. While the family waited for news of the adoption Blia’s focus turned to her love of the outdoors and staying active. This desire led her to enter and train for a triathlon. On July 12, 2009 she would participate in the Trek Womens Triathlon in Pleasant Prairie, WI. Blia would go on to finish that race and express that it was one of the best moments in her life. In the winter of 2010 Blia and Fu received the news that a boy would be available for adoption. They went through the process with Holt International and completed their adoption on November 11, 2011 when they welcomed their infant son Uriah Her. Blia expressed on several occasions that her family was now complete.

 

Both children brought immense joy to Blia, allowing her to not only be their mother, but also participate in activities that she cherished such as joining the PTA, volunteering for school events, and taking her children to after school sports and activities. Blia loved watching her children grow and always made them her priority.  She attended all of their events including, soccer, volleyball, dance, gymnastics, softball, basketball, baseball, football, swimming, karate, boy and girl scouts, and musical concerts. As the children grew Blia and Fu needed a larger home to meet their family’s needs and in the summer of 2017 they purchased their second home in Lenexa, KS. Blia continued with her civil engineering work and enjoyed her time being a mother, but she also wanted to stay physically active. In Jan. 2013 Blia signed up to run the KC marathon training for hours at a time to get herself into shape. Despite that, she always made time for her family as they were her priority. On October 19, 2013 Blia would run the KC marathon accomplishing yet another life goal she had set for herself. As the years progressed Blia would sign up for smaller races as a way to keep herself physically active. She would also encourage her children to participate in their own races, even joining with them as they ran.

 

In the Spring of 2019 Blia was diagnosed with breast cancer. She did not allow this condition to dictate what she wanted in life nor let it stop her from moving forward, and she continued to be a devoted mother and wife. After 6 months of treatment that included chemo and surgery, Blia was declared in remission and the family celebrated. However, in the Fall of 2020 Blia received the news that she had leukemia. She would work with Kansas University Medical Center (KUMC) to start a treatment plan that included chemo, radiation, two bone marrow transplants and regular blood transfusions. Through it all Blia was a warrior with an indomitable spirit. She kept a smile on her face and stayed positive, remaining focused on the objective of being in remission. KUMC would work extensively with Blia, but after exhausting all options referred her to MD Anderson in Houston, TX to be placed on a medical trial. In the Fall of 2021 Blia and Fu relocated to Houston, TX to continue with her treatment. MD Anderson started Blia on trial medication in hopes of countering her leukemia. Blia continued to be a strong and devoted mother to her children and every Sunday would facetime them and have hours of conversations about life, school and activities. Blia continued to be a loving mother, despite being hundreds of miles apart from her children. In May 2022 good news came as doctors allowed Blia to return home to attend her son Uriah’s 6 th grade graduation and her daughter Trinity’s high school graduation. She was overwhelmed with excitement at being able to see her children graduate, and expressed that they were moments she would never forget.

Additional good news came when doctors allowed Blia to stay for her daughter's graduation party Memorial Day weekend. Being able to see family and friends from near and far was uplifting for Blia and her spirits were elevated immensely. Blia was truly amazing as she fought through her own fatigue in order to be present for family and friends. After the graduation party Blia and Fu returned to Houston. Following several months of treatment, including additional medications for other ailments such as low kidney functions, an enlarged heart and bacterial infection, the doctors would give Blia the unfortunate news that her leukemia was too great and that they were unable to do anything further. Blia’s health would slowly decline however those around her

would not know it as she never showed her pain. Always the warrior, she continued moving forward with a smile on her face. She never talk about herself or her travails and instead would focus on others, encouraging them to whole heartedly pursue their dreams. Her strength was truly immeasurable, her character unmatched, and her courage beyond words. Knowing that she had such limited time she focused entirely on family, spending every moment possible with her children and her husband. Never once did she dwell on herself, but rather she chose to discuss her future plans and wishes for everyone. Her selfless and unconditional love extends beyond all boundaries.

 

On October 21, 2022 Blia was hospitalized due to complications from leukemia. Family and friends would visit her throughout the week, providing comfort and support. Blia continued to press through her pain in order to make the situation as normal as possible. Her laughter and smile as family members visited overwhelmed the pain and sadness that all were feeling. Blia’s ultimate goal was to get discharged to go back home to be with her husband and children. On November 2, 2022 Blia was granted her wish and discharged back home. Blia spent that evening with just her husband and children enjoying a family night playing Monopoly for several hours. Although she was struggling to stay awake and her strength was low, she fought through as she always

had and made that time special for everyone. For that night everything faded, and life felt normal again. The house was filled with love, laughter and conversations about life; no tears just the happiness of being with each other.

 

Blia passed in life as she lived it. She gave all she had to her loved ones and never focused on herself. The warrior in her never allowed cancer to dictate how she would live. She fought with every fiber of her body to be with her husband and children, and in the end knew that she had run the good race. On the evening of November 3, 2022. Blia reached the finish line of her life surrounded by love ones. She would take her last breath in the presence of her family and was welcomed by our Lord and Savior to the kingdom of Heaven. Blia lived a beautiful and inspirational life. She loved those around her passionately, and she embraced the beauty of everything around her fully. In return she was loved by her family and friends. Blia never let the pains of the world dishearten her and she was always a positive, bright light to others. She would spend time with her children, nieces and nephews talking about life, education and their goals for the future. Always the adventurer, Blia loved to try new and exciting experiences, anything that would get her heart racing. She loved being in the outdoors and enjoyed running walking, hiking and biking and yet was equally content to lay out in the sun with a good book. Blia had no desire for material possessions, rather her wishes were for meaningful personal experiences such as deep conversations with family and friends, traveling the world and seeing new places. In her short time with us, Blia made an extraordinary life. In all things she gave 100% of herself. Blia will be deeply missed by all those who had the great fortune to know her and love her.

 

Blia is survived by her loving husband of 22 years, Fu Her, daughter, Trinity Her and son, Uriah Her, parents, Yer Moua (father) and Sy Lee Moua (mother), brother and sister-in-law, See Moua and Mee Thao Moua and children, brother, Vang Pao Moua, sister and brother-in-law, Mysee Moua Vue and Chay Vue and children, sister and brother-in-law, Julie Moua Elders and Tony Elders and children, sister and brother-in-law, Nou Moua Vaaj and Ntxhoo Maam Vaaj and children, brother and sister-in-law, Talvryn Moua and Stacy Klundt Moua and children, and bother, Steve Moua.

 

Blia’s Graveside service will take place at 9:00 AM on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, Kansas.