Norma Emma Servo, 78, died peacefully, surrounded by her family at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, June 16, 2014, from Alzheimer’s disease and complications from a brief illness.

Norma was born to Frederick and Molly Ginther on Aug. 20, 1935, in Fairview, N.D. She was raised on the family farm with her six brothers and sisters. She grew up loving music, and learned to play the accordion from her uncle.

Norma married Garfield Servo in Fairview on Nov. 15, 1953. While he was in the Air Force stationed in England, Norma gave birth to their first daughter, Sheryl, and two years later, their daughter, Joyce, was born. When Garfield got out of the service, they moved to Seattle and had their third daughter, Karen. In 1969 they decided to move the family back to their beloved Montana, choosing the Whitefish and Columbia Falls area to live.

Norma and Garfield played their music locally, along with daughter Karen in the Servo Band for many years. You could always enjoy dancing to their polkas, waltzes, country and two-step music at many area bars and clubs. They worked together on many of Garfield’s jobs at his business as Servo Construction.

Norma was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker.  She enjoyed her yard, fishing, camping at Koocanusa, singing and dancing, and playing her accordion.

Norma is survived by her husband, Garfield Servo; and daughters, Sheryl “Sherry” Abel of Kalispell, Joyce Hanson and her husband Darren of Columbia Falls, and Karen Servo of Springfield, Ore. She has five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren that she loved dearly.  Grandchildren include Christa Handford of Kalispell, Michelle Thomas of Bend, Ore., Joel Mueller of Vancouver, Wash., and Jake Finsaas of Springfield.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Reinhold, Harold and Dale; three sisters, Ella, Alma and Louise; granddaughter, Jennifer Lynn Servo; and son-in-law, Thomas Abel.

A celebration of Norma’s life will be held at 11 a.m. today, June 19, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls.

Contributions may be made in care of Garfield Servo, or Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.  

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Norma’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Norma’s tribute wall.