Lee Howard Urness, age 71, of Prior Lake, passed away suddenly on Friday, May 19, 2017.
A time of gathering will be held on Wednesday, May 24, from 4-7 pm, with a time of sharing at 7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and one hour prior to the Celebration of Life Service on Thursday, May 25 at 1 pm, at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church 3611 North Berens Road NW, Prior Lake. Pastor Dan Poffenberger will preside. Lee’s pall bearers will be Tim Shanley, Bob Bushman, John Fossum, James Urness, Charlie Urness, Eric Urness and honorary bearers of Evan Sitzmann and Alec Sitzmann
Lee was born on January 9, 1946, to Howard and Maxine (Lee) Urness in Alexandria, MN. He was the oldest of three children. Lee grew up in Alexandria in a house that was connected to the Douglas County Jail as his father was the Douglas County Sheriff. Lee attended college at Hamline University on an academic scholarship where he played basketball and obtained a degree in Biology. After college, Lee moved back to Alexandria and worked as a Deputy Sheriff. In 1972, he began working at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) as an undercover narcotics agent and was later promoted as a Team Leader in 1977. In the course of his career with the BCA, Lee also worked as a special agent with the FBI Fugitive Task Force and was a member of the Minnesota Emergency Response Team (SWAT). His work with the BCA took him all over Minnesota and even beyond.
While working as an undercover narcotics agent in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Lee met the love of his life, Kathy Taylor. He married Kathy on February 25, 1978. Lee and Kathy had three children, Lisa, Matt and Kari. He was involved in all of his kids’ sports when they were younger and really enjoyed coaching them.
Lee lost Kathy in 2008, but he always worked hard at keeping her memory alive. Lee created a pond in memory of her and worked hard every year at making sure it was just right. He loved spending time at the family cabin, hunting, fishing, planting flowers, drinking wine and just simply enjoying life. Lee had an impact on each person he met. Lee’s smile lit up the room and he found joy in making others happy.
Lee will be deeply missed by his children, Tom (Dawn) Walker, Lisa (Josh) Sitzmann, Matt Urness, Kari Urness; grandchildren, Evan and Alec Sitzmann; sister, Mary (Mike) Hodapp; sister-in-law, Janell Urness; special friend, Kathy Sletten; cousins, nieces, nephews, many relatives and friends.
There to greet Lee in Heaven is his wife, Kathy; parents, Howard and Maxine and his brother, Donald.
Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Lee’s memory by the family.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Urness family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
