Theodore 'Ted' Yri, 99, of Leeds, ND passed away Friday, January 1, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Public Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Saturday, January 9, 2021 at the Nelson Funeral Home in Leeds. A Private Family Funeral will be held at the Leeds Lutheran Church at 3:00 PM Sunday, January 10, 2021 with Pastor Sharon Baker and Pastor Jeff Kapelle officiating. Everyone is welcome to stream the service online through Nelson Funeral Home Facebook Page. Burial will take place at Leeds Lutheran Cemetery immediately following the service. Everyone is welcome to join the family at the cemetery for graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Leeds Ambulance Service: 130 1st Ave NW, Leeds, ND 58346 or Leeds Lutheran Cemetery: P.O. Box 76 Leeds, ND 58346. CDC recommendations including social distancing, hand sanitizing and staying away if not feeling well are encouraged. Wearing a mask is required.

Theodore "Ted" Yri was born on November 13, 1921 to Beret & Arthur Yri at their home near Brinsmade, ND. He was raised on a farmstead south of Leeds. He graduated from 8 ^th grade from Brinsmade, ND and then worked on the family farm. Ted met the love of his life, Maxine McGarvey in Brinsmade, ND. Ted was called to serve our country in 1944. Maxine took the train down to Aiken, South Carolina to marry the love of her life on August 1, 1944 before he headed overseas to battle in World War II. After Ted's return home, Ted and Maxine made their home on a farm south of Leeds, where they farmed and had dairy cows until they moved to town in 1993. Ted and Maxine welcomed two daughters, Marlys and Elaine. Ted, a.k.a Grandpa Ted, was known as a hard-worker and caregiver to all, until he retired.

Ted enjoyed gardening, flowers, Christmas lights, church and music, but most of all he enjoyed and adored his family. He has been the rock of 5 generations. He attended his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren's events up until the last year.

Ted is survived by his daughters, Elaine Darling Howard (George) of Bismarck, ND and Marlys Darling (Ray) of Leeds, ND; granddaughters, Wanda (Raphael) of Leeds, ND and Lisa (Barry) of Hazen, ND; Grandsons Rick (Jana) of Leeds, ND and Greg Darling of Wessington, SD; 11 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren.

Ted was preceded in death by the love of his life, his McGarvey sweetheart, Maxine; his parents, Beret and Arthur Yri; brothers, Arnold, Vernon, Vick, & Ray Yri; sisters, Bernice Myhre and Gina Tollefson; son-in-law, Larry Darling; great-grandson R.J. Darling; several brother and sister-in-law's.