John Urnes

John Urnes

Age 83, Webster, Wisconsin, died February 10, 2021.  He was born January 2, 1938 in Minneapolis.   Ambjorn M. and Cora J. (Edming) Urnes named him John Magnus Sulland Urnes for his great grandfather of Halden, Norway.  John  grew up on Colfax Avenue  and Glen Flora, Wisconsin, and graduated from Washburn High School and then St Olaf College. John sang in the world-famous St Olaf Choir.

Shortly after St Olaf, John enlisted in the US Army.  He trained at Fort Leonard Wood and served at Fort Knox as a tank driver for a short while.  John taught art in Webster Wisconsin High School, a place that remained in his heart because when he retired, he returned to live in Webster.  John worked at the downtown Minneapolis U S Postal Service.   He painted wonderful oil and watercolor landscapes of his surroundings.

John is survived by his sisters, Gretchen Urnes Beito of Thief River Falls and Karen Urnes Burak (James) of St Paul, by his brother, James M. Urnes (Lois) of St Louis, and loving nieces, nephews and friends.

A family graveside service will be held later at Lakewood  Cemetery.