On January 21 2023, Michael (Mike) B. Urdahl, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed
away at age 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, NE.
He called Pennsylvania home but after being recruited to Dana College in Blair he made
Nebraska his home. He adopted the Big Red but was always a Penn State and Phillies fan.
Mike's successful professional path included many years in Blair. He focused on
telecommunications and the last several years he served as CEO of a Nebraska based
telecommunications holding company. He worked on the regulatory side for many years and was
instrumental in developing the state's telecommunication legislation. He also worked with the
Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C.
His work life, family and great friends gave him so many opportunities to visit amazing locales
all over the world. His hunting and golfing trip stories are still being told. Mike shared his love
of Hawaii with Jackie during a trip to Kauai. They later returned to the Big Island with their
three daughters for a week of food, fun and fabulous times. Another special trip was the summer
the entire family including the "boys" spent a week in Spain.
Mike had a passion for sports. He played football and baseball in college and town team ball in
Northeast Nebraska for many years. He was an avid golfer and loved to share the sport with
anyone who would play. He was a great storyteller and most often they ended with a hook at the
end and a punch line. Mike's sweetest friend called him the Mayor of Nebraska because he knew
someone everywhere he went.
He is survived by his wife Jackie, and three children and their spouses: Caitlin (Urdahl) and
Steve Pollmann of Wauneta, NE; Chelsey (Urdahl) and Jacques Thibodeaux, of Loveland, CO;
and Claire (Spahn) and Lluis Altimires, of Overland Park, KS. 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, nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his father,
Leonard, his mother, Doris, stepdad Rod Harmon, and brother, Patrick.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 11 th from 3-5 p.m. at the Charles
Schwab Field, 1200 Mike Fahey St, Omaha, NE.
In Mike's memory and to honor his love of baseball, the family requests memorial contributions
be sent to support the Blair American Legion Baseball Program c/o Blair American Legion -
Baseball Program, 103 S 12 th St, Blair, NE 68008.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is assisting the Urdahl family.