Maurice “Ditto” J. Kilian, age 85 of St. Michael, MN, passed away on August 19, 2020 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.
Ditto was born in his parent’s home on May 27, 1935 in St. Michael, MN to Leon and Stella (Cardinal) Kilian. On August 22, 1959, Ditto and Coleen Shierts were joined in marriage and blessed with a tribe of five children.
Ditto enlisted in the Navy in 1953, proudly serving four years. Following his military service, he attended Dunwoody Institute, then worked for Local 292 IBEW as an electrician for 25 years. In 1972 he owned and operated Maury Kilian Electric. In 1988, he purchased Wayne’s Bar, remodeled it, and Ditto’s Bar was born, operating under his ownership until 2002.
Ditto enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, playing cards, and going on motorcycle road trips with friends throughout the U.S., proudly accumulating multiple speeding tickets along the way! He especially loved spending time creating special memories with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ditto was also a charter member of the FoxTailers Snowmobile Club and also taught the Snowmobile Safety and Firearm Safety courses in the area.
To those who knew Ditto, his favorite saying of, “Can’t believe it!” will always be remembered.
He is survived by Coleen; his children, Sherry Kilian, Scott (Karlene) Kilian, Renee Kilian, Marcia (Kilian) Loveys, and Vicki Kilian; grandchildren, Nicole (Ryan) Yess, Ashley (Nick) Reh, and Shane Weber; great-grandchildren, Cayden, Aubrey, and Brecken Yess, and Mason and Tobin Reh ; siblings, Paul “Archie” Kilian, Shirley (Roger) Loftman, James “Jim” (Kristy) Kilian, and Cynthia “Cindy” Kilian; and sisters-in-law, Annie Kilian, Charlotte Kilian, and Terry Kilian.
Preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Stella; brothers, Marvin “Buddy” Kilian, Robert “Daisy” Kilian, and Jacob “Jack” Kilian; sister-in-law, Audrey Kilian; and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held Sunday, August 23, 2020 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at The Peterson Chapel in St. Michael, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, August 24, 2020 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior to service at the St. Michael Catholic Church in St. Michael, MN. Interment to follow with military honors at the St. Michael Catholic Cemetery in St. Michael, MN.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, act.alz.org.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of St. Michael-Albertville. Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.thepetersonchapel.com
My love Grace and prayers are with you in the family.
My sincere condolences to the family and all who knew and loved him.
I am so truly sorry for the family’s loss. My condolences and prayers goes out to the whole family.
We loved him alot too, Norm was his friend forever many motorcycle trips together and then I came along in Norms life 32 years ago and I also got to know Ditto, we would go to Mexico each year and he would stay at our house to watch our Yorkie puppy actually for many years so he met all of our yorkies, so I grew to know Ditto, he stopped by quite often at supper always said he was full, but we shared whatever we had with him, and he actually loved my baking, especially at graduation time, Norm and him would eat alot of my bars. He always told Norm he was so lucky to have me as his wife and bragged to alot of people about the quilts I made for him too, I guess he was the only person outside of my family that I made quilts for. We both spent lots of time going to see him at various stages of his life and I even went on our harley too and we would travel on the motorcycles not far but for rides. We both will miss him terribly. I can only imagine what his family is going through now too. Love Norm and Doreene Berning
My deepest sympathy to Ditto’s family and friends. Ditto was one of a kind and even though he was technically my cousin, he felt more like an uncle to me. His youngest daughter Vicki and I discovered we were related in second grade. We became fast and lifelong friends.
I spent as much time at their house growing up as I did at my own house. This included many camping trips and getting that tent up in the dark with Ditto was always a treat ;-). Once at Leech Lake, I was awake before any of the kids and Ditto said, “let’s go fishing.” So I went out with him and Celly. I was more interested in playing with the bait, leeches, than fishing and that was probably the last time I fished with him. LOL
Then there was Sturgis and getting to ride partway on the motorcycle with Ditto. So fun and a taste a freedom in the wind that lives in me yet today. Got several other bike rides between our parents taxiing Vicki and I so we could see each other after we moved from St.Michael.
I went on to bartend for a few years when Ditto and Coleen bought the bar. I would come in on Sundays and he would have the everything stocked, all I had to do was get behind the bar. We would usually chit chat for a bit if he wasn’t headed out right away because “I haven’t eaten for three days!” Sometimes he’ld be there on my shift playing cards. I can hear him laughing right now.
He was a man of small stature but made up for it in character and personality. He never did anything half-assed. It was the best or nothing. And he instilled the importance of taking care of things. Yes he could be tough and demand excellence but I think those under his influence benefited. Including me. RIP Ditto, you will be missed.
Linda and I want to Express our sympathy to Coleen and the Kilian family for the loss of Ditto. We have known all of you for many years and pray that each passing day will shine brighter in your lives.
My deepest sympathy to Ditto’s family and friends. Ditto was one of a kind and even though he was technically my cousin, he felt more like an uncle to me. His youngest daughter Vicki and I discovered we were related in second grade. We became fast and lifelong friends.
I spent as much time at their house growing up as I did at my own house. This included many camping trips and getting that tent up in the dark with Ditto was always a treat ;-). Once at Leech Lake, I was awake before any of the kids and Ditto said, “let’s go fishing.” So I went out with him and Celly. I was more interested in playing with the bait, leeches, than fishing and that was probably the last time I fished with him. LOL
Then there was Sturgis and getting to ride partway on the motorcycle with Ditto. So fun and a taste a freedom in the wind that lives in me yet today. Got several other bike rides between our parents taxiing Vicki and I so we could see each other after we moved from St.Michael.
I went on to bartend for a few years when Ditto and Coleen bought the bar. I would come in on Sundays and he would have the everything stocked and ready to go. We would usually chit chat for a bit if he wasn’t headed out right away because “I haven’t eaten for three days!” Sometimes he’ld be there on my shift playing cards. I can hear him laughing right now.
He was a man of small stature but made up for it in character and personality. He never did anything half-assed. It was the best or nothing. And he instilled the importance of taking care of things. Yes he could be tough and demand excellence but I think those under his influence benefited. Including me. RIP Ditto, you will be missed.
My sincere condolences to all who loved him.
I had the pleasure of taking care of Ditto at the legacy of St. Michael in memory care. He always had a sense of humor and a smile on his face. My condolences to his family such a great man who will be missed.
Condolences, love, respect to Ditto, Bear, Sherry, and everyone in this beautiful Kilian Family. I will remember with all my heart.