Mai Lee Thao

Mai Lee Thao, age 71, of Wausau, passed away on March 29, 2026.

Mai was born on August 2, 1954 to Joua Lue Lee and Yer Vang. She was the third of four children.

Mai married her husband Su on December 13, 1973. Mai and Su immigrated from Laos to the United States in 1980. They first lived in Pennsylvania and then moved to North Carolina. They settled in Wausau in 1981. Mai worked as a teacher’s aide for the Wausau School District and also helped translate for Hmong families during home visits for 16 years. After leaving from the Wausau School District, she worked in the production department at Fiskars for five years. When Fiskars closed their Wausau location, Mai became a business owner selling clothes. Mai retired in 2018.

One of her favorite hobbies was gardening. She harvested many kinds of vegetables and shared it with her loved ones. Another hobby of Mai’s was going fishing. She especially loved going fishing with Su. Mai loved going to church and was an active member in the church. She helped with church fundraisers.

Mai is survived by sons, Chong (Pang) Thao, Ching Thao and Xeng (Kelia) Thao; daughters, Mao (David) Chang and Mang (Yer) Lee; grandchildren, Nhia (Mai Der) Thao, Kimberly, Alexia, Henry, Wyatt, and Olivia; and great-grandchildren, Isabelle, Camila, and Rafael.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joua Lue Lee and Yer Vang; her husband, Su; and her daughter, Peng.

Visitation will be held from 9am to 9pm on Saturday, May 2, 2026, 9am to 9pm on Sunday, May 3, 2026 and 9am to 11am on Monday, May 4, 2026, all at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue in Wausau.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com