Ilse Martha Kilian-Tan
April 30, 1928 — May 16, 2025
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.
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 as 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 Muhlberg, 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 whose picture she had with her the rest of her life. And she learned to oil paint, a passion, even painting a bear a few days before she died.
As all youth at the time, Ilse was made to serve 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 about current events.
She fled to West Germany by herself in her late teens, escaping over the soviet border through dark woods with a suitcase on her back. She 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 drove cross country to the west coast and was especially taken by Wyoming. She settled in Washington – married, had 2 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, Wyo., which she loved very much. Many afternoons were spent sitting outside with her dogs, a good book, coffee and pen and paper for writing/drawing. Her biggest hope for those she loved and for the world, was to be kind, in harmony, respect one another, to be young at heart and to keep learning.
In lieu of flowers, Ilse would’ve liked you to go for a walk outside to 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 support.
Ilse is survived by her two daughters, Birke and Maike, and her granddaughter, Caitlin Tan.
