Tyler Duane Taylor

Tyler was the ultimate Johnny Cash fan. To send him off in true "Man in Black" style, his children invite everyone to wear black to his celebration of life.

Tyler Duane Taylor, 41, passed away on August 20, 2026, in South Dakota. He’ll always be remembered for his hard work, his endless curiosity, and the deep love he had for his family.

Tyler was born in Denver, Colorado on December 7th, 1984. He attended Hi Plains school for many years and graduated from Stratton High School in 2003. After attending College at the University of Northern Colorado, he returned home to become a master electrician and build his family.

As a master electrician, Tyler took real pride in his trade and was highly respected for his skill and dedication. Outside of work, he was an avid collector, finding joy and history in the unique items he gathered over the years. He was resourceful, bright, and had a spirit that left a mark on everyone who knew him. But above all else, Tyler’s greatest joy was his kids. He loved them fiercely and was incredibly proud of the people they were becoming.

Tyler leaves behind his beloved children, Austynn, Ryann, and Holden Taylor; his parents, Bill Taylor and Tanya Taylor; his brothers, Michael Taylor and Andy (Morgan) Taylor; and his grandmothers, Karen Fehrenbach and Eileen Figenser. As well as several aunts and uncles, cousins and extended family and friends.

He is now reunited with his maternal grandfather, Bill Fehrenbach, his paternal grandparents, Duane and Lila (Schall) Taylor, and Richard Figenser, who passed before him.

Tyler will be deeply missed by his family, his friends, and everyone lucky enough to know him.

We will be gathering to honor and celebrate Tyler’s life with a graveside service at 10:00 AM on September 2nd at the New Friedensberg Mennonite Cemetery, south of Vona, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers the family has set up an account for Tyler‘s children, Austynn, Ryann and Holden Taylor.

There is a Trust Fund in progress that will be managed by the children’s Uncle's, Michael Taylor and Andy Taylor, who will ensure the funds go to their adulthood needs.

At this time all checks need to be made out to Tanya Taylor and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Tyler's Eulogy

Tyler Duane Taylor was born December 7,1984 to Bill and Tanya Taylor of Vona/Stratton Colorado. He and his parents moved to a little trailer on Wilbert and Alma Becker’s family farm just down the road from where he rests today. Some of Tyler’s earliest childhood memories include his daily trips with Wilbert. He would push Tyler down to the little white church and bounce him on his knee while he sang and played hymns on the piano. We’re sure this is where his love of the country, vast knowledge of music and history, and his salvation began. Having a deep rooted love of this place is why Tyler always said this is where he would like to be called home.

In his younger childhood the family including his brothers Michael and Andy lived in Vona, Co and began their education at Hi-Plains Elementary. Tyler was always too smart for his own good and school came fairly easy for him. Living in Vona helped him make lifelong friendships and create so many wonderful memories with them like ramping their bikes, climbing trees, and just raising a ruckus. Tyler always knew how to have a good time.

When Tyler was 9 years old the family moved out to the farm. He always felt a sense of freedom living in the country that allowed him to be as wild as he wanted to be. It was clear that country life was ingrained in him. He loved to work hard, farm, move cows, chase storms, hunt rabbits, dig for arrowheads, and climb through old buildings. There was nowhere in the world he loved to be more than the farm, Grandma Lilas house, or Grandpa Bills. His memories in these places with family and friends were some of his most cherished.

Throughout his school years he played baseball, tried to play basketball, and he even qualified for state wrestling. However, football was his passion and he was good at it too. He was a proud Hi-Plains Patriot for many years until his Grandpa Bill (an avid Stratton Eagles fan) bribed him with a car to come to Stratton to school. Tyler transferred his Junior year and became an Eagle. He helped his team win the Colorado State Championship and even made All-State honors his senior year. He wasn’t always the fastest, but he could hit harder than hell. No one was more proud of him than his Grandpa Bill.

As a teenager Tyler created some of his closest friendships and his favorite memories. He had friends all over Eastern Colorado and even attended prom in nearly every town from Limon to Stratton. When his cousin Jesse and Michaels’s friend Mark came to live out on the farm during high school the shenanigans definitely multiplied and so did Tanya’s stress levels. He loved cruising a dirt road and hanging out with his buddies.

Tyler attended college at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He was part of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity where he made new and lifelong friendships. His house was the coolest on campus and home away from home for many people.

After college Tyler headed back to the eastern plains to further his career by becoming a master electrician. He was a very talented electrician who could troubleshoot and fix just about anything. Lately he was becoming well-known for his work in solar and renewable energy installations.

Tyler married Malaree Jacobsen in 2010. From this union came three beautiful children: Austynn (2009), Ryann (2011), and Holden (2019). He loved spending time with his kids whether that was camping, fishing at the habitat, or the countless road trips to do some exploring. His children remember how he would always use different funny character voices while he would read to them. They shared a love of fireworks. Not just to celebrate the 4th of July but any occasion they could think of. Tyler was proud to help coach his girls Little League baseball teams. His love language was gift giving and he would always have a new Hot Wheels car ready for Holden and fun and unique things for Austynn and Ryann. They were his ultimate pride and joy, his greatest achievement, and would brag about them to anyone who would listen. His sharp mind, his big heart, and his independent spirit are some of his great qualities you can see shining through his children.

Outside of his family and work he really enjoyed to collect… well, absolutely anything and everything. He found history, humor, and joy in the things he gathered and would love to tell exactly why it was the coolest thing he’d ever found. History was a passion of his. He could remember every date or fact he read and was known to regularly read the Kit Carson County history book to find out people’s stories. He was also a trivia buff and would love to test his kids with random facts such as what the little dot over the i was called. A tittle. Everyone thought he would have done really well on Jeopardy.

Tyler had a big presence and an amazing and real laugh. He loved to argue and he loved to win, but he always left with a “Love ya, see ya tomorrow.” His relationships were intentional and strong. No amount of years between could change them. Grandma Karen and him had such a close bond and up until his last day they talked almost every night on the phone. We all knew that no one could get in the way of what they had and shared. Lots of talks about life and how things should be. Losing his Grandpa Bill was very hard on Tyler. While growing up he would go with his grandpa to GPI to have coffee with his buddies. This is probably why he never met a stranger and could talk to anyone.

On April 16, 1995 Tyler accepted Jesus and was Baptized. As with everything, Tyler's relationship with God was non conventional, but the relationship was real and the core of who he was.

To really understand Tyler, you have to realize he only had one speed: wide open. From the moment he was old enough to ride a bike, he was going 100 miles per hour, flying down the road with zero fear. He lived his whole life with his foot flat on the gas pedal, and that unstoppable momentum meant there was never a dull moment when he was around. Tyler's path wasn't always easy; it was often a rugged fight. He had a rebellious spirit, loved playing the outlaw, and always saw beating the system as a great challenge. Through it all, his family and friends fought hard right alongside him, standing by his side and doing everything they could to help him navigate his battle with addiction. The struggles of this world are behind him now, and for eternity, Tyler is free.

As we gather here today under the Colorado sky, let’s promise to keep Tyler's memory alive by laughing a little louder, being a little more curious, and loving our families just as he did.

Tyler, thank you for keeping life interesting, for bringing the light, and for giving us memories we will smile about for the rest of our days. Rest easy.