John C. Kielian

John Clemens Kielian, 88, of Milliken, Colorado, passed away peacefully at home on November 1, 2026, with his loving wife by his side. He was born on July 2, 1938, to Joseph and Valeria (Prososki) Kielian.

John grew up with 13 brothers and sisters in Silver Creek, Nebraska. He graduated from Silver Creek High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track. In 1958, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served honorably.

John married Sharon Louise Edwards on July 7, 1962, in Columbus, Nebraska. In 1965, John and Sharon moved their family to Colorado and spent their time raising their four children, Steve (Karen) Kielian, Jerry (Cherie) Kielian, Cheryl (Hank) Brady, and John (Nicol) Kielian. John enjoyed playing co-ed softball and volleyball with his wife Sharon and some of his children. John and Sharon enjoyed 64 wonderful years of marriage. He was a grandpa to 11 grandchildren: Ryan (Candace) Kielian, Steven Shiley, Stevie Kielian, Sarah Kielian, Katie (Andrew) Zehnder, Amanda (Kyle) Dorsey, Jeff Kielian, Britt Kielian, Tessa Kielian, Dex Kielian and Jarrett Kielian, and 11 great-grandchildren: Oliver, Kylee, McKenzie, Bailey, Stevie, Blake, Kaylin, Haven, Jace, Tatum and Tyson. John was a huge sports fan and loved his Nebraska Cornhuskers. Go Big Red! He also enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren compete in sports.

In 1965, John founded Kielian Construction. For the next 50-plus years, his company completed countless projects for numerous farmers in the area. In addition to his construction company, John farmed the land around his house and owned cattle. Farming his cornfields was a true passion of John’s. You would often find him irrigating, tending to, and cutting the corn alongside his sons and grandsons. Every fall during harvest, the grandchildren loved riding in the silage trucks with their dads and uncles while John drove the corn cutter and Sharon made krautburgers for the whole crew. In his later years, John loved driving around in his truck, checking on his cornfields, with his dog Patches by his side. He was a member of the ditch board and liked getting together and talking with other farmers in the area.

John will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his love of the land, his passion for sports, and, most of all, his devotion to his family. Whether he was working on the farm, cheering on the Cornhuskers, or spending time with his family, he found joy in the simple moments that made life meaningful. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Memorial gifts may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.