Robert Leo Kilian

Robert (Bob) Leo Kilian, 93, died peacefully at the Glenn in Hopkins on July 27. He was born and raised in Melrose, MN, the fifth of eight children born to John and Ida Kilian. He grew up in rural Stearns County with his seven siblings actively working the land and raising livestock. Times were difficult following the depression but the family persevered. He moved to Melrose as a teenager living above the bakery where he worked before school in exchange for rent. He joined the National Guard at 17, requiring his father to sign in order for him to join. After graduating from Melrose High School, he joined the Army Security Agency and spent three years in the Philippines following the Korean Conflict. He leveraged his baking experience and mom's influence into cooking for his Army brethren. During his time in the service, he witnessed significant poverty which influenced him the rest of his life. He passed on an Army promotion to return home to court and ultimately marry his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Seep, also of Melrose in 1955. The two settled in Hopkins where they raised their four children. Bob had a number of sales jobs early in his career selling a variety of products door to door. After years in an office job at Uniroyal, he was promoted to a sales position with the company handling a territory in southwestern MN. He turned down a promotion because he didn't want to disrupt his children's schooling and sports activities. Ultimately, he left Uniroyal to pursue his entrepreneurial and independent spirit, primarily in the automotive industry. The family business was a convenience store in Hopkins that was open every day of the year and staffed primarily by his family. Many of Bob's hobbies were centered on family. He and Dorothy enjoyed ballroom dancing and playing cards with siblings and spouses. He liked to fish year-round. The family enjoyed many vacations at Birch Lake in Stearns County, and later, at Pearl Lake with Dorothy's side of the family. During his seven years at the Glenn, he formed many friendships and became an expert at the puzzle table, enjoying many evening hours of challenge. Bob is survived by his four children: Michael (Kim) of Mequon, WI, Joan Kilian-Ikeler (Alan Ikeler) of Spring Green, WI, Mark (Lisa Norbury) Kilian of Clive, IA, and Judith Kilian of Robbinsdale. He is survived by eight grandchildren: Abby (Garrett) Millman of Aurora, IL, Chloe (Brendan) Salvino of Brookfield, WI, Elizabeth Ikeler (Ben Cranny) of Des Moines, IA, Elliot Ikeler (Kristen Simon) St. Anthony, MN, Kristopher (Monica Delgado) Ikeler of Ham Lake, MN, Matthew Kilian, Littleton, CO, Juilia Kilian of Des Moines, IA, and Natalie Weber, of Minneapolis. He is also survived by four great-grandsons: Ross and Luke Millman, Keegan Cranny, and Bennett Salvino with a fifth great grandchild expected later this year. His brother John Kilian, sisters Mary Cooper, and Charolotte Volkmuth, along with 47 nieces and nephews, and many friends and neighbors also survive. He is predeceased by his cherished wife of 58 years, Dorothy, four of his siblings and their spouses: Gerald (Marie), Gladys (Joe), Alcuin (Mary), Bernice (Melvin) and his brother-in-law Dave Volkmuth, his sister-in-law Diane Kilian, and his beloved grandson Nicholas Weber. A time to celebrate Bob's life and visit with family and friends will be held on Monday, August 24th at the Marriott Southwest, 5801 Opus Parkway, Minnetonka from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Richards Catholic Church in Richfield at 11:00am on August 25th with a visitation preceding the service at 10:00am. Internment at St. Margarets cemetery at 11015 Bren Road in Minnetonka following lunch at the church. Memorials can be made to Sharing and Caring Hands www.donations.sharingandcaringhands.org or a charity of your choice. Washburn McReavy is handling arrangements.

Robert Leo Kilian

January 22, 1933 - July 27, 2026

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