W. Dale Urness, 84, Leeds, ND passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, ND. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at Leeds Lutheran Church, Leeds, ND with Pastor Michael Pretzer officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M. prior to the service at the church. Military Honors will be provided by Leeds American Legion Post #101 and North Dakota Military Funeral Honors. Music will be provided by Dan and MiChelle Nybo. Readers include Stacy Ahmann and Callie Schumacher.
W. "Dale" Urness was born on June 5, 1930 in Leeds, ND to Clarence and Francis (Fox) Urness. He died December 28, 2014 in Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake, ND after a long battle with cancer and heart disease.
Dale was born and raised in Leeds, graduated from Leeds High School in 1948 and went on to attend Minot State Teacher's College and earned an Elementary Ed degree. He joined the ND Army National Guard 188th Field Artillery and was federalized during the Korean War.
Dale married Blanche Runcorn in a double-ring ceremony with his sister, Jean, and her husband at Camp Rucker in Alabama, 1951.
Dale was a teacher and principal in Hansboro, ND. After a few years, Dale and Blanche moved to California where he taught in Dixon, Woodland and Vacaville.
After Blanche's untimely death at the age of 32, he was married to Diane Genzoli and they had a son. Dale and his 4 young children moved back to ND. He then taught elementary school in East Grand Forks, MN, Minnewaukan and Devils Lake, ND.
In 1969, Dale and Marilyn Sande were married. He farmed in the Leeds area for many years. Dale and Marilyn also owned and operated Lindale Seed Company and most recently, the Lindale Self-storage Units in Leeds.
Dale was a charter member and officer of the Leeds Lions Club, a member of Masons and American Legion. Because he had such a passion for cars, he was a life-time member of the Antique Automobile Club of America and Lincoln Motorcar Club.
He is survived by his wife, brothers Reginald (Roselynn) Urness of Grand Forks, ND and Clarence "Clair" (Tiffany) Urness of Sacramento, CA. Seven children include Debra (Mike) Ahmann of Bismarck, ND, Greg (Connie) Urness of Cando, ND, Kevin (Tammy) Urness of Leeds, ND, Jeff (Brenda) Urness of Devils Lake, ND, Cary (Nancy) Sande of Kaufman, TX, Chuck (Karmen) Sande of Bentonville, AR, Joe (Jenny) Urness of 9 Mile Falls, WA. He was very proud of his 21 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Blanche, sisters Jean Skar and Ardelle Olson, brother William Urness and infant grandson Zachary Urness.
Memorials are preferred to donor's choice.
Dale Urness, 84, Leeds, ND passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake, ND.