Niyom Doy Kaewpikul, 67
Niyom Doy Kaewpikul, 67, Red Oak, died Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013.
Doy was born in Ubon, the northeastern province of Thailand, Nov. 7, 1945. She grew up in Ubon, working in her father’s restaurant, where she met Ralph Dado in 1968, while Ralph was serving in the United States Air Force.
She came to the United States for the first time and married Ralph in a small ceremony in Wichita, Kan., on Oct. 8, 1970. In 1973, they traveled to Thailand and lived for a year, returning to the states in 1974 to live in Montana before relocating to Red Oak.
She began working at the Red Oak Greenhouse where many, even to this day, called her “Mom.” Her coworkers said she was tough and wasn’t afraid to tell it like it was, but no matter how tough she was, it was only due to the love and compassion she had for the people around her. In 1979, she gave birth to her only child, Jeff. While raising Jeff, the same character strengths and values were continued in their own home.
In 1980, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Again, her same strengths came through when she was able to survive it. Doy loved to be outside gardening, tending to her flowers, fishing late into the night to reel in a catfish and camping during the summer. Doy loved country music and the house and car would be filled with records, then tapes and finally CD’s of classic country singers.
She also loved to cook and she put that love into everything she made. Anyone who had the opportunity to eat a freshly made eggroll or any of her other dishes throughout the years can vouch for her cooking. She would cook special meals for her family on the weekends and on occasion for someone’s birthday, retirement, a party or just for someone she thought needed a good meal to cheer them up.
In 2008, after nearly 30 years of service, she retired from the Red Oak Greenhouse. She then enjoyed many other pleasures, in her life, including spending time visiting with friends and family, going to concerts, being at home to crochet a new blanket for someone, taking care of her dogs and on occasion, reeling in a big fish.
She is survived by her husband, Ralph Dado of Red Oak; son, Jeff and wife Susan of Golden, Colo.; many other family and friends.
Doy always said that she wanted to have many children. Even though she was a mother to only one she was a “Mom” to many. She will be missed and loved and her strength will live on in those whose lives she touched. We love you mom, may you rest in peace.
A celebration of life service was Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, at Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel. Burial of the cremated remains will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. A memorial fund is being established in Doy’s name.
Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.