Leland Aafedt, age 85, resident of Michigan, ND, died Sunday, January 17, 2010, at the Aneta Parkview Health Center in Aneta, ND.

Leland Lyle Aafedt was born September 1, 1924, in Osage, WY, the son of Mons and Julia (Berdahl) Aafedt.  He moved with his family at the age of 6 to Michigan where he grew up and attended school, graduating from Michigan High School in 1943.  On November 26, 1951, he married Ruth Hanesalo at the Michigan Lutheran Church .  Leland farmed in the Michigan and Mapes area. Later in life, he also worked for Wil-Rich Manufacturing in McVille while continuing to farm.  Leland retired from farming and the couple moved into Michigan in 1981.  He continued working for Wil-Rich until the middle 1980's when he began working for the Nelson County Highway Department in McVille.  He retired from the county in 1992.  He enjoyed traveling and driving throughout the U.S.   Leland and Ruth especially enjoyed their bus trips to Washington D.C. and Alaska.  Leland also enjoyed camping, some fishing in the area and made a few trips to Canada.  He moved to the Aneta Parkview Health Center in July of 2009.  Ruth died nine days prior to Leland, on January 8, 2010.

Leland's family includes 5 children, Mike (JoDee) Aafedt of West Fargo, ND, Jody (Patrick) Lunemann of Clarissa, MN, Randy Aafedt (Kim Arendt) of Chandler, AZ, Ryan Aafedt of Idaho Falls, ID, and Mitch Aafedt of Fargo, ND; 8 grandchildren, Darcy Aafedt (Scott Hanson), Scott Aafedt, Jacob Lunemann, Barrett Lunemann, Taylor Lunemann, Reid Lunemann, Deandra Lunemann, and Alex Lunemann; 2 great grandchildren, Alexa & Emery Hanson; a brother, Carlton “Toby” (Joan) Aafedt of Petersburg, ND; and a sister, Bonnie Schultz of Michigan, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Ruth.

Leland's Funeral Service will be held at the Michigan Lutheran Church on Saturday, January 23 , 2010 at 2:00 p.m.   Officiating will be the Reverend Sue Mackey.  The organist will be Paula Narum; the soloist Patrick Lunemann.  Interment will be in the spring at the Michigan Cemetery.  The casketbearers will be Scott Aafedt, Jacob Lunemann, Barrett Lunemann, Taylor Lunemann, Deandra Lunemann, and Alex Lunemann.  The honorary casketbearers will be Darcy Aafedt, Reid Lunemann, Alexa Hanson, Emery Hanson, and all of Leland's friends.  Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Friday beginning at 2:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.   Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.