Gayhard V. URNESS

URNESS, THORSON, ZASTROW, HERNANDEZ, ACHOR, CARLSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/19/2014 at 15:17:53

August 21, 1917 --- March 6, 1985

Gay V. Urness was born in Urness Township on August 21, 1917, the son of Bennie and Ida Thorson Urness. He attended achool in Urness Township and High School in Alexandria, where he excelled in all athletics and was captain of the football and basketball teams. He graduated from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa in 1941. While in college he got his private pilot's license. He taught one year at Goodell, Iowa. While there Pearl Harbor was attacked. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and was commissioned a Second Lt. as a fighter pilot in 1944. Gay married Ferne Zastrow at Seymour Johnson Airfield at Goldsboro, North Carolina on June 8, 1944. He flew seventy two missions with the 36th fighter group, twenty third squadron, 9th Air Force in the European Theatre of war during World War Two. Upon returning to the United States he resumed his teaching and coaching career at Tintah, Minnesota. While teaching in Tintah he received his commercial pilot license. Gay owned and operated an aerial spraying company for nineteen years. He was known as a pioneer and an expert in the Agricultural Aviation Industry. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church, American Legion, National Aeronautics Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. In 1959 he lived in Wheaton, Minnesota and was appointed as one of the first State Parole and Probation officers. He transferred to Alexandria, Minnesota and worked at this profession until he retired in December 1982. He passed away at his home on Wednesday, March 6, 1985 at the age of 67 years.

He is survived by his wife, Ferne; children: Rochelle Hernandez of San Francisco, California; Gay B. Urness and wife Deborah Achor of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; Sharon and husband Mark Carlson of North Bend, Washington; Rob Urness of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Tamara Ann Urness of the University of Bemidji, Bemidji, Minnesota; grandchildren: Adam Carlson and Zachary Urness; one brother: Howard Urness of Alexandria, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Luther.

Funeral services were Saturday, March 9, 1985, at the First Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Minnesota with Rev. Ronald Otterson and Rev. Keith Lantz officiating. Pallbearers were Lee Urness, John McHugh, Hames Urness, Charles Urness, Donald Urness and Harlan Urness. Organist was Kris Willert and soloist was Rev. Keith Lentz. Interment was in Kinkead Cemetery, Alexandria, Minnesota.

Lake Region Press -- Alexandria, Minnesota
March 15, 1985