Yook Gan

Yook Gan, 62, of Asian Wok, died Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Per Yook's last wish, service will be a small intimate amongst family and close friends. A memorial will be held at Asian Wok for those who would like to pay their respects and celebrate her life on Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 2:00 – 6:00 PM.

At the age of 18, Yook began her life journey. She left Malaysia and went to study abroad in Taiwan at Feng Chia University Republic of China. There she met the love of her life, Mike. It was not love at first sight for her, but it was for him. After many attempts, Yook finally said yes, and the rest is history.

After finishing her degree at Feng Chia University Republic of China, she continued her life journey to Wichita, Kansas. From there, she and Mike started to build their future. In the year 1997, they opened the first Malaysia restaurant in Wichita. Then in 2001, they built a business called Café Asia. For those who ate at Café Asia and met Yook, she was always full of energy. Her memory was uncanny. Yook can remember an entire order from just looking at the phone number on the caller ID or even when recognizing someone's voice. She was the heart and soul of that establishment, making every patron who walked through those doors feel welcome.

In late 2020, Yook and Mike wanted to slowly transition into retirement, which meant they closed Café Asia. Neither could stay away from the busy restaurant life, so soon after closing their business of 20 years, they opened Asian Wok. Even with moving locations and changing the business' name, Yook's warmth and welcoming spirit didn't change.

Even though Yook was continuously busy with the business, that didn't stop her from spending time with her family. Her life always revolved around her two children, Stacy and Jeslee, and her beloved grandson, Ethan. Yook was always planning on the next trip. She has taken her family all around the United States and most of Europe. Her last trip was in 2023 to visit her old college in Taiwan.

Yook will forever live in the hearts she touched. She will be missed by many.

Preceded in death by her parents, Chian Ng and Ngee Chong of Malaysia.

Survived by her husband, Cheong "Mike" Gan; daughter, Stacy (Josh) Gould; son, Jeslee Gan; grandchild, Ethan Gould, all of Wichita.

The family has asked for no flowers or fruit baskets and asked for any proceeds to be donated to St. Jude’s in Yook's name. Link: https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=8892964&fr_id=154020&pg=personal

Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary – East Chapel.