The Extraordinary Life of Ming Li Tchou Celebrated

By Greg Hugh

The life of Ming Li Tchou, a prominent leader for the Twin Cities Chinese community was celebrated on May 4, 2025.  Family, Friends and many community leaders gathered at The Marsh in Minnetonka, MN.  not just to celebrate an extraordinary career but to honor a life that has made a profound difference.

For those of you that did not know Ming, following is a brief synopsis of her life.

She was born in Guangzhou China and met and married her husband, James Tchou in 1945. In 1961, they came to and settled in Minnesota. Dr. Tchou began his practice at the Veteran’s Hospital and Ming opened “Ming’s Import Gallery” in Edina and Rochester. She was a tireless volunteer with many organizations including Chinese Senior Citizens Society, US China Peoples Friendship Association, Minnesota International Center, Chinese American Association of Minnesota, National Association of Chinese Americans, the Women’s Club, and the Hennepin Medical Auxiliary.

In 2004, on the occasion of her 80th birthday, she established the Chinese Heritage Foundation. By sharing her Chinese heritage, she hoped to advance mutual understanding and trust among all Minnesotans.

“A Passage to China” was one of her significant achievements. It was a large cultural outreach event hosted for 9 years at Mall of America. More recently, “The Dream of The Red Chamber” opera was conceived and developed by her foundation and went on to be presented internationally by the San Francisco Opera. Bright Shen, Chinese-American composer and pianist, spoke and played music from the opera.

Many of her close friends and relatives spoke and gave loving testimony of their life changing experiences with her. Music and song were central to this celebration. Following is a copy of the program that was organized by Ming’s dedicated team of care providers: Pearl Begad, Yin Simpson and Margaret Wong.

 Photos courtesy of Mark D. Stanley

Following the formal program, attendees were invited to partake in a buffet lunch that included a few of Ming’s favorite dishes. A Cantonese tradition is to give red (for loved ones over 80) or white envelopes containing candy and coins to their guests. Leave the bad luck at the funeral, and bring good luck home. In Chinese culture, red is the color of good luck, and the coin represents fortune. Before guests arrive home, they should eat the candy and spend the coin to seal their luck.

As we reflect on Ming Li Tchou’ s contributions, it’s clear that her legacy is not just in her commitment to the community but in the hearts and minds she has touched. Although Ming’s favorite saying was “Que Sera, Sera…” , she said “We should learn how to share ideas with each other, and do that often.”

In closing, please feel free to learn more about the Chinese Heritage Foundation and Ming’s legacy at the chfmn.org or do a key word search at www.chinainsight.info for the many articles covering her activities over the years.