Leo Kilian

Leo L. Kilian, age 80, of Gettysburg, passed away, Saturday, September 15, 2007 at St. Mary’s Healthcare Center in Pierre.

A celebration of life service was held at 11:00a.m., Wednesday, September 19 at Luce Funeral Home in Gettysburg with Chaplin Gary Snow officiating. A prayer service was held at 7:00p.m., Tuesday, September 18 at the Luce Funeral Home.

Leo Lloyd Kilian was born to Harry and Nora Mable (Paulson) Kilian in Gettysburg on October 13, 1926. He was the oldest in the family of eight children. Leo’s first three years were spent on the John Simon farm before the family moved to the Herman Titze farm, where he attended the Cunningham Rural School. He then worked for John Hosterman. After leaving John’s he worked for Rufus Britton.

On May 26, 1945 Leo entered the United States Army and on Thanksgiving Day he landed in France and was sent to Germany. While in Europe he worked as a Quarter Master. He was shipped back to the United States and was honorable discharged on November 1, 1946. Leo received a World War II Victory Ribbon.

He and June Beckler were married on November 18, 1946 and settled down on a farm near Tolstoy, where they spent nine years. They moved into Gettysburg in 1955 and Leo went to work for Roy Quiett at the Ford Garage until he had a heart attack in August of 1965. Having recovered he went to work for Potter County in November of 1965. He received a plaque after 23 years of working for the county when he retired at 62 years old. Leo also spent 20 years with the Stihl Chainsaw Company, selling and repairing saws and cutting wood.

Leo was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed bowling, flying airplanes, was a lifetime member of the VFW, member of the Ralph Leui American Legion Post 135 and a charter member of the Whitlock Bay Boat Club, serving as their fist Commander.

Together Leo and June enjoyed traveled having gone to the west coast several times. They also made many trips to Missouri where they visited their daughter and family.

Leo is survived by his wife June Kilian of Pierre; daughter: Linda (Reg) Wood of Pierre; son: Gary Kilian of Rapid City, SD; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren; one brother: Lorren (Carletta) Kilian of Gettysburg and two sisters: Betty (Bill) Hermann of Hoven, SD and Lorraine Erickson of Aberdeen, SD.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Keith, Harry Jr. and Mick and one sister, Norita.