Ted Becker

Dr. Theodore “Ted” James Becker, 79, of Almont, ND, passed away on December 27, 2024.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, January 7, at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Almont, ND. Burial will follow at Sims Cemetery with military honors. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the Almont Legion Hall. Visitation will take place from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Monday, January 6, at Buehler-Larson Funeral Home in Mandan.

Ted was born in Mandan, ND, on December 6, 1945, to Theodore and Evelyn (Myers) Becker. He grew up in Merrick, New York, and graduated from Calhoun High School. Ted later moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he attended the University of Michigan, earning a bachelor’s degree. During his time there, he met and married Rosalind “Ros” Price Becker. Ted attended Virginia Tech and earned a master’s degree. Subsequently, they relocated to Greenwich Village in New York City, where Ted obtained a Doctorate from the New York College of Optometry.

A retired Lieutenant Colonel, Ted served in the U.S. Army—both on Active Duty and in the Reserves—for many years. He was a Vietnam veteran and also stationed in Korea. After his military service, Ted worked as an optometrist at Ellingson Eye Clinic in Bismarck, ND, before opening Family Vision Clinic with Dr. George Gero, where he served the community for many years.

Ted met the love of his life, Orletta Kilen, while serving in the Army Reserves. They married in 1992 and eventually settled in Almont, ND, where they built their forever home. Ted had a deep appreciation for the North Dakota landscape and took great pride in planting thousands of trees in Sioux and Burleigh Counties alongside his Uncle Larry Myers.

An avid organic agriculturist, Ted was passionate about farming, ranching, and caring for animals. His love for the land, especially the joy of planting trees and the scent of spring clover, brought him immense happiness. Ted and his godson, Matteo, spent countless hours tending to the farm, ranch, cattle, chickens, and ducks. A natural teacher, Ted was known for encouraging others by recommending seminars and books to enrich their knowledge.

Ted was a proud member of the American Legion Post 261 in Almont, as well as AMVETS and the VFW, where he held various leadership roles. He also volunteered as a firefighter for Morton County. A devout Catholic, Ted was a longstanding member of St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Almont.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Evelyn (Myers) Becker; his first wife, Rosalind (Price) Becker; and his second wife, Orletta Kilen. He is survived by his two sisters, Phyllis Becker-Best and Teresa (Gerard) Chiovaro; sister-in-law Amy (Kilen) Traxel; brothers-in-law Arvin (Patty) Kilen, Duane Kilen, and Loren Kilen; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and friends meant the world to Ted. He is deeply loved and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the North Dakota American Legion Foundation (P.O. Box 5057, West Fargo, ND 58078 or via email at programs@ndlegion.org).

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant...Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." — MATTHEW 25:21