Dr. John Victor Urick passed away quietly at his lake home on Tuesday evening, May 14, 2024.

John was born on April 17, 1933, to Victor and Lily Erdine (Nordstrom) Urick in Biwabik, Minnesota. He graduated from Biwabik High School in 1951. John was drafted and served two years in the Army. He would fondly reminisce about his tour of duty in Hawaii and getting to enjoy the days on Waikiki Beach. John enrolled at the University of Minnesota – Duluth (UMD) graduating with a degree in Education.
Realizing that teaching wasn’t his calling, he continued his education at the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1962 from the School of Dentistry.
In 1959, John married Patricia Evelyn Prevost of Duluth. They would enjoy a long and loving marriage of almost 65
years (June 19, 1959). John was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, friend, and mentor. John was very loyal and very giving. He was an excellent dentist who enjoyed his patients and tried to provide them with the best care possible. John practiced in St. Cloud, MN, for 37 years before retiring in 1997 to return to his beloved Lake Vermilion.
John was a member (and previous president) of the St. Cloud Dental Society, Minnesota Dental Association, St. Cloud Country Club, St. Cloud Trap Shooting Club, The Vermilion Lake Association, and American Academy of General Dentistry. He was also a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Tower, Minnesota.
Beyond all his personal and professional successes, John was a ‘salt-of-the-earth’ kind of guy. His subtle wit would create smiles and laughter from family and friends. He was always willing to give a helping hand to anyone who needed it and
quietly performed charity dentistry.
He would often say, “I’ve had a wonderful life, caught all the fish I’ve wanted to and done a lot of great hunting with friends, loved my family and friends, and I’m ready to meet the Lord.” John lived life fully and enjoyed life up until the very end. It was a gift to know him and enjoy his company.
In retirement, John and Pat would spend their winters in St. Petersburg, Florida. John enjoyed his fishing, hunting, tending his vegetable garden (parsnips were his favorite), and was a voracious reader of World War II books. He often spent time tinkering in his workshop and always found projects to do around his lake home.
John was preceded in death by his parents and sister. He is survived by his wife, Pat; sons John and James, grandchildren December, Skyler, Jenna and Abigail, several nephews and nieces, and special cousin, Ken Danz.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, June 1, at the Bauman Funeral Home in Tower, Minnesota. Visitation is at 10 a.m. followed by a service at 11 a.m.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Virginia Hospice for their immense help and Dr. Elleby and Dr. Friday for their kind and compassionate care.