Obituary of Harold Edwards Urness

Watch recorded video of funeral service here: https://www.ustream.tv/embed/recorded/119869367?html5ui

Ted was welcomed by the Lord into his eternal home on December 29, 2018.

Ted is survived by his wife Joey of 29 years, son Mark (Candace), daughter DeeAnne Lorensen (Kurt), son Daniel (Rachelle), stepson Tim Winslow (Bobbi-Jo), and stepdaughter Kirsten Gazso (Michael), 21 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Ted was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan.  He was the oldest of three sons born to Mary and Albert Urness.  Ted was the oldest, but only by a few minutes.  His twin brother Jack was born moments later and his youngest brother Barry was born six years later.

Sports came naturally to Ted as his dad Albert, brother Jack, Uncles Harold Urness and Fred Goodman, all played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  Ted attended Scott Collegiate and participated in many sports, including football.  After graduating from high school, he played for the Regina Rams for one year.  With a football scholarship, he journeyed down to the USA and played for the University of Arizona for the next four years, graduating in 1961 with a Degree in Business.  During college, he met and married Jacquelyn Dack.  Together they had three children, Mark, DeeAnne and Daniel.  

After college, Ted continued his football career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders where he played 10 seasons.  Ted was on the 1966 Grey Cup Championship Team, was selected to the CFL All-Star team 6 years in a row and was the runner up for the Most Outstanding Lineman in the CFL in 1968.  He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the Saskatchewan Roughrider Plaza of Honour in 1989.  The 1966 Grey Cup Team was also inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 1967 and the Saskatchewan Roughrider Plaza of Honour in 2010.

After playing his last season with the Roughriders in 1970, Ted’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to found a very successful tractor and equipment dealership in Saskatoon.  Hilltop Ford was started in March of 1971, grew and expanded until 1987 when Ted accepted the position of Chairman and CEO of the Saskatchewan Liquor Board, where he served in Regina for 5 1/2 years.  

During the 80’s,Ted also served on the Roughrider Board of Directors and their Executive.  This was during some very bleak financial times for the Riders.  Ted knew the team needed strong, decisive leadership.  He believed that Bill Baker, his friend and former teammate was the man to lead the Riders through this period.  Great decision!!!  Ted was a member of the Roughriders Board in 1989 when they won their 2nd Grey Cup Championship.  

In the spring of 1993, he accepted the position of Northern Operations Manager for Redhead Equipment which meant a move back to Saskatoon.  Ted loved working in the equipment business until he retired in the fall of 1999.  

In 1990, Ted married Joey Anderson who had two children, Tim and Kirsten.  After retirement, Ted and Joey’s years were filled with travel and visiting family and friends both in Canada and the USA.  In 2008, they decided they’d had enough of city living and over two years, they built their final home in the small town of Rose Valley, Saskatchewan and moved in the spring of 2010.  

Ted never lost his love for cheering on the Roughriders.  He felt privileged to have been part of such a great franchise with so many great players.  Those were memories and friendships that lasted his entire life.  Above everything else, Ted truly loved and cared for his family.  He always made sure everyone was “OK”.  His sense of humour was infectious, he always had a kind word and he always made you feel like you belonged. Ted helped many people along the way and it seems there is always someone with a new “Ted” story to tell.  He was a kind and gentle soul and he will be missed by so many.  

Ted and his entire family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Stonebridge, the Palliative care team, Teds physicians and all those who participated in making Teds final years meaningful and comfortable.  Special thanks also to Katherine Daniels and Perry Kimber and the entire OverC organization.  

A celebration of Ted’s life will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Zion Lutheran Church (324  4th Ave. So)  in Saskatoon. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Saskatchewan Roughrider Alumni Association or your favorite charity in Ted’s name would be wonderful.
Cards and notes would be welcomed and appreciated and condolences may also be made online