Jon J. Urban

Jon J. Urban, 49, Superior resident, died unexpectedly on Sunday, September 23, 2012. He was born at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, IL on February 11, 1963 to Wayne and Bonnie (Karius) Urban.


Jon graduated from Proctor High School in 1981. He attended Duluth Area Vocational Technical Institute (now known as Lake Superior College) in the mid 1980’s and graduated with a Building Construction Technology degree. He was also the President of VICA.


He married Karen Olson On June 8, 1991 and celebrated twenty-one years of marriage.

Jon worked as a train engineer for the Canadian National Railroad since 1996 and was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

Jon was known to be able to fix anything from engines to plumbing, electrical or anything having to do with construction. He was a great woodworker and made some incredible pieces for family and friends.

Jon loved to fish, hunt and be outdoors. He enjoyed many fun times at the family cabin. He loved playing with his son Cody and all of his nieces and nephews. Jon was very kind and giving. He went out of his way to make people feel comfortable. He also was a member of the YMCA Mentoring Program.

Jon is survived by his wife, Karen; son, Cody; two sisters, Kellie (Bruce) Murphy, Duluth, MN and Ann Urban, Proctor, MN; one brother, Benny (Angie) Urban, Cloquet, MN; four nieces, Amanda (Al) Mickelson, Charlene, Melissa and Sarah Urban; five nephews, Shane (Courtney) Urban, Benny Urban, Hunter and Cale Bergerson and Cason Olson and one grandniece, Raleigh Urban; mother and father-in-law, Richard and Joan Olson, Duluth, MN; sister-in-law, Kristin (Steve) Bergerson, Duluth, MN and brother-in-law, Tom (Laura) Olson, Cloquet, MN and special friend who he mentored, Max Norbotten.

Jon is preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Craig Murphy.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM on Thursday, September 27, 2012 in the Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior with a Scripture Service to be held at 6:30 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, September 28, 2012 at 11:00 AM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. James Tobolski as celebrant.

To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.downs-lesage.com.