Lorna J. Kilian, a cherished resident of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Sanford Hospital at the remarkable age of 99 years, 11 months, and 29 days, just shy of her 100th birthday.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, with family present beginning at 10:00 AM, on Friday, May 29, 2026, at the Christ the Victor Chapel at First Lutheran Church, 327 S. Dakota Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Lorna will be laid to rest next to her late husband at West Nidaros Cemetery, Crooks, South Dakota.

Born Lorna Jean Pearson on May 21, 1926, to loving parents Einar and Julia(Ode) Pearson in Brandon, SD, Lorna's life began in a close-knit community where she attended Brandon Lutheran Church and was graduated from Brandon High School in 1944. Lorna earned a B.A. degree in English and History from Augustana College in 1948, where she met her future husband, Thomas R. Kilian. During her college years she also worked as a certified United Press correspondent for Minnehaha County.

On August 27, 1949, Lorna and Tom exchanged wedding vows in Brandon. After living in Boston, MA, and Forest City, IA, they settled in Sioux Falls, where Lorna was employed by the Argus Leader as a reporter and columnist until 1951.

Raising a family of four children, James, Peter, Mary and Susan, was Lorna's new role, and she created a warm, loving and welcoming home, encouraging the individual talents of her children. In later years, Lorna devoted her time and energy to the homecare of both her mother and mother-in-law. Lorna welcomed all she met with her bright smile and ability to put other people's needs first.

Lorna was an avid reader, a skilled seamstress, and a wonderful cook. She enjoyed exploring her family genealogy, doing crosswords and became an enthusiast of South Dakota wildflowers, which became a passion during many decades spent at the family cabin in the Black Hills.

For over 70 years, Lorna was a member of First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. She edited the church newsletter, was a member of the Ladies Aid and was an active member of the Church Library Board. Other community service included many years serving as a Girl Scout troop leader and serving as the President of the Minn-Ia-Kota Council Board of Directors. Lorna's dedication earned her the Girl Scout's Adult Award and State Recognition. Lorna was a member of the Augustana Faculty Wives, the American Association of University Women, the Nordland Heritage Foundation and a devoted member of the Berdahl Rolvaag Guild associated with Augustana University's former Heritage Park, where she often led tours and tended the flowers.

Lorna's life of dedication and devotion to her family is gratefully remembered by her children: Peter(Tari) Kilian of Aberdeen, SD, Mary( Hans) Gaul of Rockenhausen, Germany, and Susan Kilian of Sioux Falls; her grandchildren, Katherine Kilian, Thomas Gaul, Philipp Gaul and Anna Gaul; great-granddaughter, Fiona Gaul; sister-in-law, Hazel Pearson; nephews John Pearson, Eric Pearson and Michael Kilian;  her niece, Amy (nee Kilian) Brookman and daughters-in-law, Vicky Kilian and Tari Kilian.

Lorna was preceded in death by her parents, Einar and Julia Pearson; her husband, Thomas R. Kilian; her baby daughter Anne; her son James Kilian; her brother, Richard O. Pearson her nephews Allan and Chris Pearson; her brother-in-law, Austin Kilian.

Lorna's caring spirit will be remembered and treasured by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Augustana College Center for Western Studies, First Lutheran Church Caring Ministries, or the Scholarship and Aid programs of Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons.

A luncheon at the church will follow the service with the burial afterwards at West Nidaros Cemetery, Crooks, South Dakota .