Alvin Francis Urban, 91, Loretto, Kansas, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kansas.
Alvin (Al) was born August 12, 1933, in Loretto, Kansas, the son of Frank and Rosalia (Breit) Urban. He was a lifelong resident of Rush County, Kansas. A 1951 graduate of Bison High School, Bison, Kansas. He was a third generation farmer and worked tirelessly on the farm until he was 80.
On June 1, 1959, Al married Elaine Klima at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Clyde, Kansas. They most recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
Al was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Liebenthal, Kansas, and the VFW. He enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and baseball. He was a member of the Loretto Bluejays baseball team in his younger years. Al cherished his German heritage and was very humbled by the generations of relatives that preceded him. He loved to listen to polka music and loved to be part of any celebration.
Al’s dry sense of humor was always present, and a sparkle in his eye gave you an indication that a good story or joke was soon to follow.
Al was extremely proud of his 1955 Ford Fairlane and was happy to tell a story about how it closely resembled his first car when Elaine and he had gotten married.
He was an avid follower of Royals, Mariners, Chiefs and K-State. He loved to discuss baseball and football stats and players. He never missed any of his kids' sporting events.
Al was a veteran of the United States Army and was very proud of his service and was able to share his overseas Germany deployment with his brother Rueben. He loved to talk to anyone who had served in the military and was always willing to share a story of his service.
Survivors include: his wife, Elaine Urban, Loretto, Kansas; one son, David Urban (Gail), Manhattan, Kansas; two daughters, Debora McLain (Randall), Norman, Oklahoma, and Danette Riordan (Frank), Anacortes, Washington; eight grandchildren, Chris McLain (Jessica), Seattle, Washington, Randi McLain, Dallas, Texas, Morgan Urban, Wichita, Kansas, Megan Thornton (Tyler), Wamego, Kansas, Grant Urban, Manhattan, Kansas, Madison Schmitz (Nathan), Manhattan, Kansas, Dylan Riordan, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Brooke Riordan, Hanford, California; six great grandchildren; one brother, Rueben Urban (Virginia), Loretto, Kansas; and one sister, Arlene Stramel (Gary), Hays, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 27, 2025, from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at St. Mary’s Help Of Christians Shrine, Loretto, Kansas. A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M.
Church visitation will be Friday, March 28, 2025, from 9:30 A.M. to 10:20 A.M. at St. Mary’s Help Of Christians Shrine, Loretto, Kansas.
Funeral service will be Friday, March 28, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Mary’s Help Of Christians Shrine, Loretto, Kansas, with Father Reginald A. Urban and Father Donald Zimmerman officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Loretto, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to masses or St. Mary’s Help Of Christians Shrine, Loretto, Kansas.
Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.