On January 21, 2023, loving husband, father and grandfather Michael (Mike) B. Urdahl passed away at the age of 68. Mike was born on October 1, 1954 in Williston, ND to Leonard and Doris (Bergh) Urdahl. Mike was married to Jackie (McCullough) where they lived in Imperial.
He called Pennsylvania home but after being recruited at Blair’s Dana College he made Nebraska his home. He adopted the Big Red but has always been a fan of Penn State and the Phillies. Mike’s successful career path included many years at Blair. He focused on telecommunications and in recent years was the CEO of a Nebraska-based telecommunications holding company. He has worked on the regulatory side for many years and has been instrumental in the development of the state’s telecommunications legislation. He has also worked with the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, DC
His working life, family and great friends have given him so many opportunities to visit amazing places around the world. His stories of hunting and golfing trips are still being told. Mike shared his love of Hawaii with Jackie during a trip to Kauai. They then returned to the Big Island with their three daughters for a week of food, fun, and fabulous times. Another special trip was the summer when the whole family, including the ‘boys’, spent a week in Spain.
Mike had a passion for sports. He played college football and baseball and city ball in northeastern Nebraska for many years. He was an avid golfer and loved sharing the sport with anyone who wanted to play. He was a great storyteller and very often they ended with a hook at the end and a punchline. Mike’s sweetest friend called him the mayor of Nebraska because he knew someone everywhere he went.
He is survived by his wife Jackie, three children, and their spouses: Caitlin (Urdahl) and Steve Pollmann of Wauneta; Chelsey (Urdahl) and Jacques Thibodeaux, of Loveland, Colorado; and Claire (Spahn) and Lluis Altimires, of Overland Park, Kan. His grandchildren include Hayden and his wife Sarah, Landry and Teagan Pollmann and Max Altimires. He will be missed by his brother and three sisters, nephews and nieces. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Leonard, his mother, Doris, stepfather Rod Harmon and brother, Patrick.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 11 from 3-5 pm at Charles Schwab Field, 1200 Mike Fahey St, Omaha, NE.
In memory of Mike and to honor his love of baseball, the family requests commemorative contributions to support the Blair American Legion Baseball Program c/o Blair American Legion – Baseball Program, 103 S 12 th St, Blair, NE 68008.
The Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant services the Urdahl family.
