John Theodore Ludwig Lade, 95, 325 11th St. NW, died Sunday, January 23, 2005, at Trinity Nursing Home, Minot.

Ted was born June 1, 1909, to immigrant pioneer North Dakota homesteaders Frank and Emilie (Wolff) Lade on the family farm in Eureka Township, Ward County, 13 miles northwest of Minot. He was the youngest of 12 children. He was baptized at Immanuel (German) Lutheran Church which his father Frank and older brothers helped build. The church was eventually relocated to the family farm.

Ted took over operation of the farm after the death of his father in 1937. He married Irene Klimpel at the North Dakota State Fair Grandstand Show in Minot on July 10, 1937. They farmed together for 20 years before moving into Minot. While continuing to farm Ted worked as a carpenter and in all facets of construction on the building of Minot Air Force Base and began working for the Great Northern Railroad in 1950. He retired from the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1975 while still farming.

Ted loved music and with his brother Rheinhard entertained for all the local barn dances in the area. He taught himself to play the accordion, guitar, mouth organ, piano, and organ. He loved North Dakota. Once after returning from a visit to California Ted said he wouldn't trade the whole state for the weed patch in his back yard. Ted was an avid fisherman and loved to make his own lures. He saw value in everything and would spend hours out in his shop making something worthwhile out of worthless trash or repairing a favorite toy for a child. Ted also loved gardening and would grow things just to give them away to whoever might need them. Even at the time of his death he had eight new seed catalogues already marked up and ready to order. Ted always had his Bible by his side and couldn't tell you how many times he had read it thru. Of course his favorite love was his family and he always looked forward to seeing his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He had a special place in his heart for his nephews and nieces

Ted was a lifelong resident of the Minot area and was baptized, raised, worked, lived and died within 13 miles of his birthplace. He will be buried in Immanuel (German) Lutheran Cemetery on the same family farm where he was born.

Ted is survived by his older brother Rheinhard who is 99 years old, Edmonds, WA; sons John, Minot, Daniel, (Edith), Velva, and Wade (Leonora), Hazen; and daughter Marie (Ray) Reeb, Minot; nine grandchildren, Roland (Sharon), Fargo, Carl, Minot, Jennifer, Fargo, Sara, Fargo, Larry, Minneapolis, MN, Lorie (Olu) Fordham, Seattle, WA, Joe (Linda) Crosswhite, Lidgerwood, ND, David (Melissa) Reeb, Aurora, CO, and Janet (Marc) Seter, Loveland, CO; three great grandchildren, Mark, Andrew, and Scott Crosswhite. Ted and Irene also had 69 nephews and nieces, 44 of whom survive.

Ted was preceded in death by his wife, Irene, who died Dec 8, 1997; parents, Frank Lade, May 23, 1937, and Emilie (Wolff) Lade, March 27, 1930; half brothers, Frank, William, and Charley; brothers, Herman, Emil, August, and Arthur; and sisters, Martha, Lydia, Minnie, Helena, Otelia, and Clara.

Funeral: Saturday, January 29, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, ND.

Interment: Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery 13 miles Northwest of Minot.