Yikealo Breidenbach, 15, of Napoleon, passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2020. Mass of Christian Burial will held Friday, October 23, 2020 at 10:30 AM at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Napoleon. Visitation will be held Thursday, October 22 from 6-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. Burial will be held at St. Philip Neri Cemetery, Napoleon. A live stream of Yikealo's Funeral Service will be available on the St. Philip Neri Facebook and YouTube pages.

Yikealo Nicholas Breidenbach was born on October 6th, 2005 in Ethiopia to his birth parents, Lemlem and Birhan Kidanu. He spent the first five years of his life accompanying Birhan to her market shop and playing with his siblings, Sigow, Hilush, Alamat, and Burkte. He would often tell tales of fishing in Ethiopian rivers, an activity he later enjoyed at his grandparent's lake home with his uncles Fisherman and Sunshine Dave. Yikealo loved his Ethiopian family dearly and prayed for them every day. He awaited the day he would turn 18 and be able to visit Ethiopia once again.

In 2010, Yikealo moved to Napoleon, ND and became Breidenbach Child #6. He quickly became a little farm boy and spent his summers driving around illegally with Ethan, hunting and fishing with Payton and Blaise, and paintballing on Sundays with the Boys. In the fall months, Yikealo loved taking his bicycle to a farm on the east edge of town and watching the sunset over the cattle roaming in the pastures. Later, when he was old enough to get a job, he started working as a laborer at Napoleon Livestock Auction and J&P Feedlot with José, Eric, and Dylan. He came home from work with stinky boots and stories of mad cows.

Yikealo will be remembered for his gentle nature, friendship, and kindness toward all those around him. Ever the little gentleman, he always held doors open and would lend a helping hand, even if it was begrudgingly to help Kylie or Kelsie unload the dishwasher. Yikealo was affectionately known as not only the "Chipmunk Whisper", but also the "Baby Whisperer" as he would feed chipmunks straight out of his palm and would sing Bakhita to sleep.

He was deeply loved, and will be dearly missed by his family and friends, classmates, his football teammates, co-workers, and the community of Napoleon.

Yikealo will be greeted at the heavenly gates by his birth parents, Lemlem and Birhan Kidanu, as well as his mother, Kelly Jo Breidenbach and his Grandpa, Ron Dittmer. He is remembered here on earth by his immediate family, Nick, Laura, Cole, Katie, Kassie, Kelsie, Kylie, and Bakhita Breidenbach; his grandparents, Marly Dittmer, Jerry and Judi McDonald, Ken and Idey Breidenbach, and Edward and Louana Neesen; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

We, Yikealo's family, are eternally grateful for your continued prayers for Yikealo as we grieve his loss. Our hope is in the Lord, and we pray with confidence that he now rests in the arms of God. We look forward to one day uniting with him in eternal praise.

I feel your loving hands wrap around me Lord. I ask you to help me follow you and reject darkness and sadness.  I know I'm not going to be perfect but I ask you to help me be, even when I forget.  Help me see you the way you see yourself.  Help me to see myself in you.  Amen.  --Yikealo Breidenbach