Ian E. Kies, Madison (1972 - 2009)
June 14, 1972 - April 18, 2009
Ian E. Kies, 36, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2009, at home. He was born on June 14, 1972, in Madison. Ian was married to Lisa Boshers on Monday, April 13, 2009. He enjoyed studying art and creating his own, and loved the music of the Grateful Dead. Ian enjoyed taking his son fishing and teaching him to love nature.
He is survived by his son, Ashton S. Kies of Janesville; wife, Lisa (Boshers) Kies of Madison; parents, Kenyon C. Kies of Mazomanie and Carole L. Kies of Janesville; brother, Daniel A. Kies of Madison; and a stepbrother, Peter S. (Sarah) Kies of Fox Point.
A celebration of Ian's life will be held from 5:30 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at OLBRICH GARDENS ATRIUM, 3330 Atwood Ave, Madison.
The family would like to thank the staff at Meriter Hospital for their concerned care. Memorials may be made in Ian’s name to REBOS Chris Farley House or NAMI Dane County.
GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL & CREMATION CENTERS
5203 Monona Drive, Madison -- (608) 221-5420
www.gundersonfh.com
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Gina Jimenez (Jimenez-Lalor)
I know not many of you truly knew Ian. You may have only known him as "weird" or "a druggie" . I'm not saying he wasn't those things but that isn't how he is remembered by those of us who loved him. Most of us have grown up enough to know how complicated and painful life can be. Ian was and is a beautiful soul. He touched so many lives. That was apparant at his service last night. It was the kind of celebration that we all wish for. The room was filled with family, friends, friends from the past, barflies, addicts, ex-addicts. We all had one thing in common. We knew Ian. We really knew him. We understood his love. He had so much love and compassion that this world became too painful to endure. Many of us are able to wear blinders, separating ourselves from the latest news headline and all the ugliness around us. We focus on the beauty to get us through to the next day. Sadness consumed Ian. It was apparant in his art. His paintings, his journals. I wish you all could have seen some of them. They were incredible. It was the kind of art that moves you and filled your heart with every imaginable emotion. It was through his art that Chad and I were fortunate enough to reconnect with Ian after many years. We lost touch with Ian about 10 years ago. Basically we couldn't handle his self destructive behavior any longer. We lived in the same city only a few miles from one another but still never contacted each other. Our reconnection came in the form of a beautiful frame constucted out of wood that was gathered from some farm land that Chads' Grandparents used to own. "The Land" is what they used to call it. It was one of Chads favorite places to be. The frame was decorated with dried plant matter from the land aswell. Inside the frame he had placed a photo that he had taken of Chad at the farm. It was so thoughtful. That was Ian. When he reached out to people he reached with his heart. That was about a year and a half ago. Chad and I are so lucky to have known him. thanks for listening, GinaJennifer Boylen
Gina... Thanks for sharing such beautiful thoughts. I remember Ian as a kind guy. I was saddened to hear of his passing. (Thanks for alerting us.) I'm glad that you had the chance to reconnect. Life isn't always a bowl of cherries... Some of us sit in the pits. Ian made the best of the moment. I hope he finds peace.