Arnold Chantharak

Arnold (Bounkong) Chantharak, 65, of Mountain Lake, MN, passed away peacefully with his wife, children, and grandchildren at his bedside on June 5th, 2023 after a ten year battle with cancer.

Bounkong Chantharak was born in Huay Xai, the capital city of the province Bokèo (meaning “Gem Mine”) in the country of Laos on January 16th, 1958.  Son of the late Kham and Chansouk, he is survived by his spouse, Saengchanh Chantharak, and two children, daughter Rena, grandson Adrian, son Air, daughter-in-law Whitney, granddaughter Raegan, and grandson Roscoe.  He is also survived by his siblings, Chantip Antonaccio, Chanpeng Chantharak, Frank Chantharak, Souphan Deignan, & Vong Chantarak, their spouses, and their children.

He attended college in Huay Xai before leaving Laos in 1985 living in Thailand and the Philippines before eventually coming to America to live in Lowell, MA in 1988.  He then moved to Mountain Lake, MN in 1991 where he resided with his family for the next 30+ years.

He loved America and the opportunities that the country provided for his family which led him to complete naturalization on April 23rd, 1994 and after officially becoming a U.S. citizen, he changed his legal name to Arnold.  Though that was his legal name, he had already made his impact in the community and many people continued to call him Kong. People often would describe him as hard working, dedicated, eager to serve, unselfish, and authentic.

Arnold loved watching sports, especially soccer and American football.  He had a passion for food and made sure no one ever left his household with an empty stomach.  He always put his family first and deeply loved his grandkids.  When his first grandson was born, he immediately made sure he was part of the care-taking process.  Even when his body began to fail him, Arnold found ways to show his love for his grandchildren and his mood would always perk up when they came to visit.

A visitation will be held for the public on Sunday, June 11th from 11:00am to 3:00pm at Sturm Funeral Home (420 10th Street) of Mountain Lake.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Arnold Chantharak to @Chantharak via Venmo, via GoFundMe https://gofund.me/2513ee3a (a donation will be made in his memory to the children’s ministry of his grandchildren’s church), or mailed to Saengchanh Chantharak, P.O. Box 137, Mountain Lake, MN 56159.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Mtn. Lake, Minnesota.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.