Leland H. Yada, 82, of Redfield died Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at Eastern Star Home in Redfield. His funeral will be Saturday, April 27, 2013, at 11 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Redfield. The Rev. Stephen Perry will officiate. After a time for lunch and fellowship, the burial will be in the Rockham Grace Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday from 2 to 8 p.m., with a Masonic service at 7 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield.
Leland's family prefers memorials to the Yelduz Shrine Transportation Fund (Road Runners), United Methodist Church or the Eastern Star Home.
Leland was born May 12, 1930, in Faulkton to Hafler and Lora (Levtzow)Yada. He lived with his parents on the farm near Miranda until they moved 10 miles south of Rockham in 1931. In 1939, they moved north of Rockham, where he lived until his marriage. He attended Carleton School, finished grade school at Erion School and then attended Redfield High School.
Leland married Ruth Ruhlman on Nov. 10, 1951, in the Methodist Church in Miranda. Leland and Ruth made their home 3 miles northwest of Rockham. He farmed in the Rockham and Miranda area with his father until 1978. Leland worked as a carpenter until 1984, when he became director of equalization for Faulk County. In 1997, Leland and Ruth moved to Redfield and in 2008, they moved to the Eastern Star Apartments.
Leland was an active member of the United Methodist Church, serving on boards and as usher for many years. He also served on the Faulkton School Board, township boards and as sexton of the Rockham Cemetery.
He enjoyed woodworking with a scroll saw and his creations are still enjoyed by many in the community. One of his favorite pastimes was having coffee, at Appel Oil, almost every day with his buddies, comparing stories.
Leland and Ruth enjoyed traveling the United States on bus tours.
Leland was active with the Eastern Star, Masons, Shrine Foot Patrol and Road Runners and especially enjoyed taking many children to the Shrine Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. He was greatly disappointed when his macular degeneration prevented him from taking families for medical care.
Leland was a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He attended their every event until his health limited him. His COPD eventually limited his ability to do the activities that he enjoyed most.
Leland is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ruth, of Redfield; one daughter, Deb (Steve) Roseland) of Seneca; and one son, Robert (Nancy) Yada of Aberdeen. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Kelly (John) Bohnenkamp, Slade (Kayla) Roseland, Sal (Kelly) Roseland, Kim (Kaleb) Bowman, Megan and Alec Yada. His 11 great-grandchildren are Jake, Jenna and Jayda Bohnenkamp, Sean and Rhyann Roseland, Seth, Tate and Reece Roseland and Jameson, Brock and Jackson Leland Bowman. He has one sister, Jean (Art) Burr, of Sioux City, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant sons: Lauren and Larry; and a son, Lawrence "Larry", in a car accident at the age of sixteen; and his brother, Daryl.
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