Ilse Martha KILIAN-TAN

Ilse Martha Kilian-Tan lived a long, full, beautiful life. Guided by courage, nature, curiosity, humor and whimsy. A professional fiber artist, painter, sketcher, writer, educator, and linguist. Her artwork was shown and sold in Germany and across the U.S.

Ilse lived through some of our most significant historical moments, and died, entering a new dimension, as she believed on May 16, 2025.

Ilse was born April 30, 1928, in Oelsnitz/Vogtlandt, Germany. Her formative years were stained by the Hitler regime and Russian occupation and communistic rule in the GDR. Her father served in both World Wars and her family endured much hardship. Food was scarce, and at times Ilse's mother made soup with one potato. People denounced each other – family, friends would go missing, like Ilse's aunt, who was snatched off the street in a summer dress, later dying in a Russian prison. Ilse's brother was imprisoned in a Russian concentration camp in Mühlberg, writing a book now archived in Harvard's historical library. Ilse and her sister experienced a bombing that killed many. As planes flew overhead, the girls were forced to jump in a deep ditch. When they emerged, a large bomb lay next to them that had failed to go off. However, good things also happened, Ilse met a Ukrainian soldier from the opposition forces, whom she loved very much and carried his picture the rest of her life. She also learned to oil paint, a lifelong passion - even painting a bear a few days before she died.

As all youth at the time, Ilse served in the "Hitler Youth" developed to indoctrinate children to Nazi ideology. For the rest of her life, Ilse spoke up against oppression and authoritarian rule, especially with current events. She fled to West Germany in her late teens, escaping over the Soviet border through dark woods, alone with a suitcase on her back. She worked briefly in a factory, exposed to deafening machines, but forged upward, landing as a translator for America's Stars Stripes. She became an accomplished equestrian, riding fox hunts and received the bronze level in dressage. These were some of her happiest times.

In her late 20s, Ilse left Germany by ship to the U.S. Seeing the Statue of Liberty was profound. She learned to drive in Chicago, later journeying cross-country to the West coast. She was especially taken by Wyoming. She married well known architect, Ron Tan, had two daughters, rode her horse western, was Magna cum laude earning 2 Bachelors and a Masters in arts and language. Ilse read and collected thousands of books on world cultures, quantum physics, astronomy and believed in UAP's, feeling certain she'd seen one. Ilse loved and delighted in all animals, saving many dogs, who won the lottery living with her.

Later, Ilse split time between Spokane and Pinedale, WY. Many afternoons were spent sitting outside with her dogs, a good book, and pen and paper for writing/drawing. But sometimes, she just enjoyed her surroundings, often with a Starbucks white chocolate mocha.

Her biggest hope for those she loved and for the world, was to be kind, in harmony, respectful to one another, young at heart and to keep learning. Ilse left us with much of herself - beautiful, clever art, poems and stories. Here's an excerpt from an undated "public report" she'd written:

"With my weaving The Last Day I wanted to say that even in destruction can be beauty. In dark clouds, the immense power of fire, the fading sun of light. The remnants of life hiding underground are, however, lovely and strong with powerful new shoots waiting to push through the earth to start a new life cycle. In spite of destruction and violence the force of life will be there, to come forth and have its justification and future."

In lieu of flowers, Ilse would've liked you to go for a walk outside and take in the surroundings, maybe treat yourself to a latte, art and laughter. And if you really insist on more, a donation to an animal shelter or Ukraine's war efforts. Ilse is survived by her two daughters, Birke and Maike, and her granddaughter, Caitlin Tan.