April 7, 1932 to August 26, 2026
To Huynh, age 94, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
To was born on April 7, 1932, in Vinh Thanh, Minh Ly, Vietnam, to Tich Huynh and Diep Muoi. Throughout her long and remarkable life, she was known for her resilience, strong will, honesty, and straightforward nature. She was business-minded and practical, never afraid to speak her mind, and she had a deep appreciation for good food and the simple pleasures of life.
In her later years, those who loved To saw a softer and more reflective side of her emerge. She spent more time looking back on her life, sharing stories, offering wisdom, and reflecting on the importance of family. She became increasingly open to new experiences and learning, embracing life with a curiosity and openness that brought joy to those around her.
To found happiness in many simple things: sitting in coffee shops, listening to music, telling stories and singing songs from the past, trying new foods, enjoying wings and a beer at Buffalo Wild Wings, exercising, watching movies, and discovering new restaurants. She learned to make bracelets and enjoyed working on puzzles. One of her special joys was teaching her granddaughter to speak Vietnamese, passing along a piece of her language and heritage to another generation. She also took great delight in spoiling the family’s yellow Labrador Retriever, Luna.
Perhaps one of the most meaningful chapters of To’s life began in her nineties. At the age of 93, she was baptized into the Catholic faith and received the baptismal name Maria. Her first Mass was a healing Mass at the John XXIII Diocesan Center, where she was surrounded by an outpouring of love, prayer, and support. It marked the beginning of a beautiful and unexpected journey of faith. Through much prayer and by the grace of God, To overcame many medical obstacles and continued to experience moments of joy, connection, and discovery.
To’s greatest legacy is the family she leaves behind and the memories she created across generations.
She is survived by her four children: Dinh Le and his wife, Xuan; Huong Le; Quang Le and his wife, Diep Nguyen; and Thuan Le; her grandchildren, Phuong Hirschfeld and her husband, Loren; John Le and his wife, Amy; Kay Palha and her husband, Ulysses; and Dean Le; her great-grandchildren, Emma Hirschfeld, Mai Hirschfeld, John Jr. Le, Isabella Le, Hudson Le, Ashley Palha, Lana Le, Lia Le, and Ken Le; and her great-great-grandchild, Annaliesse Palha.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Tich Huynh and Diep Muoi, and her husband, Lam Le.
To will be remembered for her strength, her honesty, her stories, her love of food and music, her determination, and, most of all, the wisdom and tenderness she shared with her family in her later years. Her life was long, her journey was not always easy, and her story was uniquely her own. She leaves behind a family who will carry her memory and the lessons she taught them for generations to come.
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Burial and a reception will follow at Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska.
We are deeply sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.