Alcuin Francis Kilian

Kilian, Alcuin F., Age 95, of Hopkins, formerly of Edina, was welcomed to eternal life on May 3, 2025. Al proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1947 to 1951. While in the service he met his beloved wife of 71 years, Mary Ann. Al spent his entire career working with airplanes. He started with Capital Airlines which merged into United Airlines; he retired in 1991. Al was a dedicated caregiver for 38 years to Mary Ann after her stroke; he did so with love, patience and strength.
Al is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Mary Ann, and son, Dan. He is survived by his children Jim, John (Lynda), Janet (Brad) Ost and daughter-in- law Michelle; grandchildren Heidi (James) Brown, Heather (Michael) Lambert, Cody (John) Chadbourn, Taylor (CJ) Smith, Kelsey (Chris) Randall, Andrew Ost, Austin Ost, Elizabeth Kilian and Haley Kilian; great-grandchildren Presley Brown, Cayden Lambert, Lucas Lambert, Noah Lambert, Grayson Smith and Isaac Randall; and many relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Sharing and Caring Hands or American Heart Association.
My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
-John 14:2-3
Al Kilian's Life Story
Al was born in Melrose, Minnesota to John and Ida (Thielen) Kilian. He was the third child of a farming family of four boys and four girls. Upon graduating from Melrose High School in 1947 and realizing that he did not want to farm (specifically, he did not like milking cows!), Al joined the Air Force on October 3, 1947, at the age of 17.
Al served for four years during the Korean War. He was stationed at Walker Airforce Base in Roswell, New Mexico, and was assigned to the 509th Bombardment Wing which was part of the Strategic Air Command. During this time, he also had a three-month and a four-month temporary duty assignment in England. While in the Air Force, he obtained airplane mechanic training on B-29s which was the start of his life-long love for airplanes and travel.
Al's other life-long love was discovered in the service as well. While living in the same barracks as Mary's brother Jack, Al saw a picture of Mary in Jack's wallet which inspired him to start writing letters to her on February 22, 1950. They dated largely via mail for two years while Mary worked at a bank in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. After being honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in October 1951, Al took a job as an airplane mechanic in Chicago with Capital Airlines (which later merged with United Airlines). On most of Al's days off, he would drive four hours to see Mary. After just one winter of driving back and forth, Al had decided that was enough! He proposed to Mary on February 10, 1952, and they were married at St. Patrick's Church in Fond du Lac on September 6, 1952.
After living a short time in Chicago and Detroit, Al and Mary moved to Minnesota in 1956. In 1957, they settled in Edina and became members of Our Lady of Grace Church. Mary was a full-time homemaker raising Jim, John, Janet and Dan while Al worked various shifts during his 40 year airline career. Al spent his first 20 years in maintenance and his last 20 years supervising ground operations in Minneapolis. Al retired in 1991 from United Airlines.
Al and Mary took advantage of Al's work benefits by traveling all over the United States and to many countries in Europe; they visited Tokyo and Hong Kong as well. Al also toured New Zealand and Australia. In retirement, they wintered in the Sun City, Arizona area for 25 years where Al took up golfing. He even golfed several rounds last summer!
For 38 years of Al and Mary's 71 year marriage, Al was Mary's primary caregiver after her paralyzing stroke in 1985. He did so with love, patience and grace. He also volunteered 22 years for Store-to-Door, a grocery shopping service for shut-ins. Al was a dedicated walker, a sports enthusiast, a polka fan and enjoyed a competitive game of cards, no matter the game.
In March 2018, Al and Mary moved to The Glenn - Hopkins where they were able to attend daily mass. Son Dan passed away from a heart attack on May 22, 2019, and Mary took her last breath on September 26, 2023, while Al held the hand of his beloved.
Blessed be his memory!
C:\Users\ostja\Documents\Al Kilian\Al Kilian Life Story 2025-05-13.docx