Mildred Clarissa Urness, 97, of Crookston, Minnesota, died peacefully early Saturday morning, August 14, 2010, in the RiverView Healthcare Center in Crookston. Mildred was born in Crookston on August 18, 1912, and was the daughter of M.C. and Clara (Stephenson) Sheffloe. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and graduated from Crookston's Central High School in 1930. Mildred received a teaching certificate from the Crookston Normal School and taught in Polk County schools from 1931 to 1945. During these years she also spent three summers attending Bemidji State Teacher's College where she received additional teaching credits. On October 28, 1944 Mildred was united in marriage to Kenneth J. Urness in Crookston. The couple farmed in Onstad Township of Polk County and raised three children- Jim, Steve, and Candy. Mildred was a devoted member of the Hafslo Lutheran Church, serving as Sunday school superintendent for twenty years, and also holding the offices of president and secretary with WELCA. She had been an adult 4-H leader when her kids were younger, and was an active member and officer in the Onstad Home Study Group during her many years on the farm. When the Hafslo Church closed she and Kenneth became members of the Varnes Lutheran Church, rural Fertile. Sadly, Kenneth passed away on March 22, 1982. That fall Mildred moved into Crookston, settling in an apartment in the Nimens-Espegaard complex. She became a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where she chaired the work and serve group. She also became very actively involved in the Crookston community, never missing a Monday of volunteering in the RiverView Hospital Gift Shop; helping with meals every Wednesday evening at the Golden Link; and serving as secretary for the Golden Link Advisory Committee and the Nimens-Espegaard Birthday Club. Mildred was an avid reader and usually spent Sunday afternoons at the Crookston Public Library. She enjoyed going for walks in her neighborhood and was always stopping to visit with people she would meet along the way. In October of 1993 Mildred was named Crookston’s Experienced American of the Month and honored at a reception held for her at the Golden Link Senior Center. With her health in decline, Mildred moved to the RiverView Nursing Home this past spring. She will always be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. May God bless Mildred's memory.
Mildred leaves her 3 children, Jim (Marilyn) Urness of Crookston, MN, Steve (Barb) Urness of McIntosh, MN, and Candy (Dave) Anderson of Minneapolis; 10 grandchildren, Jenifer (David) Dahl of Bagley, MN, Ryan (Wendy) Urness of Grand Forks, ND, Chance (Nicole) Smith of Denver, CO, Nicole Barajas of Austin, TX, Michael Urness of Lafayette, LA, Jaclyn Urness of Washington, D.C., Craig (Jessica) Johnson of Juneau, WI, Amanda (Dan) Tompkins of Lindsay, OK, and Nathan Anderson and Gretchen Anderson, both of Minneapolis. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Mort C. Sheffloe of Georgetown, TX; a sister, Florence Heykes of Crookston; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. In addition to her husband, Kenneth, Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; and 2 sisters, Dorothy Seddon and Iola Near.
A memorial service for Mildred Clarissa Urness will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 19, 2010, in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Crookston, with The Rev. Bill Reck, officiating. Visitation with the family will be for one hour prior to the funeral. Inurnment will be in the Hafslo Cemetery, rural Crookston. Memorials may be given in Mildred’s name to the Hafslo Cemetery Fund or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
