Preceded in death by Parents, Elizabeth and Walter Urbanski; Brothers, Jim and Richard; and Beloved Sons, Philip and Michael.
John grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota and attended St. Cloud Cathedral HS. He was a proud graduate of St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, Class of 1955, with a degree in history. He moved to Minneapolis, fresh out of St. John’s at age 21, and began a long career at IDS, where he worked in purchasing for more than 33 years. He built many strong friendships and connections at IDS and loved his job. He watched the company grow from a small investment firm to what is now Ameriprise Financial. He started at IDS and retired from IDS. There he met many of his best friends who stayed with him throughout his life.
He was ahead of his time carpooling into downtown Minneapolis for work and cheering on girls sports. He was especially fond of the growth of girls hockey. John loved fishing, hunting, golfing, the Minnesota Twins, Monday night bowling with his buddies, and later in life, participating in Robbinsdale’s Story Theatre. He was a diehard fan of St. John’s football (Go Johnnies!) and an expert pickle-maker. His homemade pickles were coveted at charitable auctions and at the dinner tables of family and friends from across the world. Jars of his pickles would mysteriously disappear from the basement anytime his family was around. John also loved to make his special dumplings and potato pancakes, and his family loved to eat them. He enjoyed a good cigar and a cheap beer on the back porch. He was a Lector and longtime member of St. Joseph’s Parish in New Hope. Most important to John were his family, faith, and friendships. He was “Papa” to his loving grandchildren.
Survived by Spouse, Patricia; Daughters, Lynn (Mike Clark), Katy (Joe) Hargis, and Maureen (Mike) Quam; Grandchildren, Jacob, Matthew, Jenny, Anne, Sam, Megan, Kate, Daniel, Nick, Alexandra, Annie, and Hannah; Great grandchildren, Charlotte and Otto; and Many Other Relatives and Friends.
Please join us in celebrating John’s well-lived and well-loved life:
~Mass of Christian Burial~
Wednesday, 11 a.m. at
St. Joseph Parish,
8701 36th Ave N.,
New Hope, Minnesota
Visitation one hour prior to service at the Parish.
Memorials preferred to St. John’s University P.O. Box 7222 Collegeville, MN 56321, or Sharing and Caring Hands, 525 N. 7th St. Mpls 55405.
