Gordon Urdahl

Gordon Oliver Urdahl

December 12, 1935 - August 17, 2021

Age 85, of St. Paul Park, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

Gordon was born on the 12th of December,1935 to Violet (neé Ness) and Clarence Urdahl in Litchfield, MN.

Survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Marlis. Children; Melany (Lary), Kent (Beth), Kurt (Lisa), Meg (Dan) and grandchildren; Courtney (Logan), Tyler (Melissa), Celeste, Sarah (Conner), Matthew, Michael, William, Sam, Jack, Julia, Thomas, Conner, Mikael, Delaney, Wesley, and great grandchildren; Hudson, Cooper, Braelyn, Lincoln, and Quinn. Also, his siblings; Jerry (Betty) and Dean (Karen) along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceded in death by parents; Violet and Clarence Urdahl; two siblings; Charleyne (Ken) and Ronna (Marvin) and grandchild Harrison.

Gordon grew up in the Litchfield area and graduated from Litchfield High School, class of ’54. After high school, he and several friends voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served proudly for three years and was honorably discharged in 1958. Upon his return to civilian life, he attended Brown Institute earning a degree in electronics. On March 28th, 1959, he married the love of his life, Marlis, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grove City. With his family he settled in St. Paul Park in 1967, spending most of his career working for Seagate as a Section Manager.

He was a great storyteller and entertained his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with funny and engaging stories until his passing. He greatly enjoyed telling and receiving jokes and brought much laughter to family and friends. Gordon (affectionately known as Gordy) was a man of great character and was respected by everyone he knew for his honesty, integrity, kindness, and compassion. He always greeted people with a smile, and you felt you were the only person in the room when he was speaking with you. You always left his presence feeling better and important.

Gordy was renowned for his work ethic and his ability to fix common and complex things – from televisions, lawnmowers, engines, to children’s toys. In his hands nothing was truly ever broken; and he shared the joy and credit with others when it was fixed.

He was a man of faith and was a faithful servant of the church and was active as an usher and valued bible study member.

Gordy loved his vegetable garden and the flowers planted around the house. He took great pride in the large pumpkins, the bounty of tomatoes and potatoes produced, and the raspberries picked and given away. He was also an avid and creative woodworker. Creating and gifting his work to his children and grandchildren gave him the greatest pleasure. Doll houses, recipe boxes, and picture frames will be treasured as family heirlooms.

As a father, his wisdom, patience, kindness, smile, laughter, thirst for knowledge, and loving spirit will always be greatly missed. He was a joy to be around, and even made the simplest and mundane tasks interesting. A compliment from “Dad” was a cherished reward for a hard day’s work or act of kindness. In this he was a great role model to his children.

As a husband, he was a loving, faithful, and steadfast partner who ended every day saying, “Goodnight my Love”.

For his family and friends, he will always be loved and missed.

Memorial Service 11:00 AM with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Newport Lutheran Church, 900 15th St., Newport, MN, 55055.