Tyler Mary Killian

1970 - 2025

Tyler Mary Killian

July 17, 1970 - February 12, 2025

Minneapolis, Minnesota - With profound sadness yet deep gratitude for a beautiful woman and a life elegantly lived, we celebrate the memory of Tyler Mary Killian, who passed away on February 12, 2025. Born on July 17, 1970 in Reno, Nevada, Tyler was a radiant force of kindness, joy, and unwavering love for her entire time with us.

Tyler was the daughter of Kelsie Harder and Mary White, and the sister of Katherine Hudson. She spent her infancy in Reno, before life moved her to Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 5. She attended Saint Theresa High School, where she participated in theatre, enjoyed track and swimming, and was a Student Council leader. Outside of school, she loved spending time in the city's many parks, libraries, and museums, living a spirited and curious childhood, that she fondly reflected on.

While her mother's work had them returning to Reno for her junior year of high school, Kansas City always remained her home. Tyler felt a great connection to it, finding comfort, solace, and joy within the community.

Tyler graduated from McQueen High School in 1988. She moved to San Francisco to work at her grandmother Helen's bed and breakfast, the Union Street Inn. Returning to Reno, she earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Nevada, Reno. After college, Tyler had many adventures: notably as a nanny in Munich and a tutor in London. Her journey came full circle when she returned to Reno to share her passion for literature and the arts, spending the next years as an English and Theatre teacher at Wooster High School. Outside work, her vibrancy and spirit were unleashed in the many plays and productions that she acted in, including lead roles in several of them.

With Kansas City forever pulling at her heart, Tyler moved back to the city, accepting her dream job teaching at St Theresa's High School. Her passion for education drove her to obtain a master's degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2012.

Tyler's love for learning was matched only by her dedication to helping others grow. As an educator, she inspired countless students, shaping young minds with her wisdom and warmth. Her classrooms were places of curiosity, encouragement, and laughtertestaments to her belief that knowledge could transform lives.

In early 2013, the universe brought Thomas Killian into her life. After an introduction by a mutual friend, Tyler wrote of finding the love of her life someone who embraced her creativity, adored her curiosity, and marveled at her insatiable desire to learn and engage with others.

Thomas and Tyler were married in September 2014, and spent the next two years in Kansas City, surrounded by beautiful friends and actively involved in their community. Tyler continued to share her gifts through teaching at Cristo Rey High School, Johnson County Community College, Penn Valley College, and Park University. She was also a regular volunteer at The Nelson-Atkins Museum.

In 2016, they moved to Minneapolis to be closer to family. Their household grew throughout the years, first with their beloved black lab, Maadchen in 2016 and again when their sweet puppy Laurel entered their life in 2022. Tom and Tyler's home was always full of activity, love, and joy. They complimented each other in a variety of mutual interests, loving each other along the way. Throughout this time, Tyler was a warm and supportive wife, creating a beautiful home filled with her own art and design.

Tyler continued to express her creativity through work in fashion and design with several retailers and design firms. Her artistic eye and passion for beauty shone brightly in every endeavor. She was a talented and prolific artist, always creating paintings, collages, and mixed media. She regularly shared her work with family and friends, and her pieces will always be treasured remembrances of her artistic spirit.

Beyond her artistic calling, Tyler's spirit flourished in the simple joys of life. She loved the outdoors, cultivating neighborly relationships and passing along her playfulness and exuberance with friend's children, snuggling with her dogs, and her love of books and the cinema knew no bounds.

She was a devoted friend, a loving wife, and a beacon of positivity to all who knew her. Whether in Reno, Kansas City, or Minneapolis, she embraced everyone with an open heart, always ready to lend a hand, share a story, or offer words of encouragement.

A celebration of Tyler's life will be held on March 1st, at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. There will be a visitation at 12:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Safe Hands Rescue https://safehandsrescue.org , reflecting the joy brought by her rescue dog Laurel, and her love of animals.

Rest peacefully, dear Tyler. We are heart broken. You will be forever loved and deeply missed.