Mina T Kaiser

The Privilege of a Lifetime is Being Who You Are”

Carl Jung

Mina Tyler Kaiser

March 14, 1962 – January 18, 2026

On Sunday, January 18, Mina collapsed at home and died unexpectedly. A lifelong resident of Duluth, Mina was a graduate of Duluth Central High School and the College of St. Scholastica, where she was also a member of the music faculty until recovery from extensive surgery caused her to retire. Additionally, she served on the music faculty at UWS for a number of years.

Mina was a singularly gifted musician whose primary instruments were Baroque and Classical guitars. She also played Vihuela, theorbo, banjo, French horn and many others.

Locally, Mina shared numerous recitals, both as a soloist and with cherished colleagues and friends. In fact, she had already selected and started practicing the repertoire for her next recital.

She performed with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, Itasca Symphony Orchestra, Center for Early Music Orchestra, Lyric Opera of the North and Northland Opera Theater Experience.

As a composer, Mina accrued many awards and commissions from the National Endowment for the Arts, the American Society for Composers, Authors & Publishers, the McKnight Foundation, the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, plus several other international, national, and regional organizations – including the LSCO.  Mina worked with comedy troupe “Colder By the Lake” as composer and arranger for 2 operas: “Les Uncomfortables” (2001, 2016) and Phantom of the NorShor (2005)

She had most recently finished writing a newly commissioned piece: “The Imp- A Concerto for Piccolo and String Orchestra” and was looking forward to its premiere both in New Zealand as well as locally by the LSCO.

Mina is survived by her wife of 35 years, Beth Pellin Kaiser, mother Edith VanCamp, siblings Ted and Ter (Carol) Heinonen, Tim (Carolyn Olson) Kaiser, and Jennifer Van Camp, as well as nieces and nephews. She is also survived by all of Beth’s family, including her mother, Gloria Pellin. Mina was preceded in death by her brother, Tom Heinonen, and brother-in-law, Tony Pellin.

A gentle, compassionate, and patient soul who possessed a deep sense of justice and inclusivity, Mina lived her life as she wrote her music: thoughtfully, deeply, full of wit and love.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Mina, hosted by Charlie and Jean Leibfried at their home, 502 Claymore Street, Duluth, MN 55803, on Sunday August 23^rd from 1:00 – 5:00 pm with a special time of remembrance at 2:00. Mina loved a good party, with family, friends, food, and music and so it seems most fitting to celebrate her remarkable life doing just that.

Memorials preferred to WE Health, (https://wehealthclinic.org/donate/), The Trevor Project (https://give.thetrevorproject.org/give/63307#!/donation/checkout), or Justice Page Middle School PTA, Mpls, General Fund. Please indicate that the donation goes to the Band and Orchestra Program (https://www.justicepagepta.com/fundraising).