Garfield Nicholas Servo, 82

Garfield Servo passed away at home in his sleep on April 24, 2016, after a brief battle with cancer and heart failure. Much thanks to his daughter Karen for caring for him during his last 11 months so he could stay home.

Garfield was born to Nick Servo and Freida Storholm Dec. 21, 1933, in Sidney. He was the oldest of seven children.

Garfield enlisted in the U.S. Air Force before finishing high school. He got his GED, and was stationed in England during the Korean War. He was an instrument mechanic from 1952 to 1956.

On Nov. 15, 1953, he married Norma Ginther in Fairview. They had three daughters, Sherry, Joyce and Karen. Norma and Garfield moved to the Seattle area in 1957. Garfield worked at Boeing, Todd’s Shipyard, and later in new construction while learning the electrical trade. After moving the family back to Montana in 1969, he worked for the aluminum plant and Plum Creek in Columbia Falls. Garfield continued his electrical education while working full time and received his master’s license. In 1974 Garfield started his own business building houses as a contractor, Servo Construction. He built many houses in the Flathead Valley and also did handyman work, repairs and remodeling. He loved building and was a very hard worker, rarely stopping to chat while on the job!

Garfield was a self-taught guitar player and formed a band with his wife Norma and daughter Karen in the ‘70s. They played locally for many years. You could always enjoy dancing to their polkas, waltzes and country music. Garfield and Norma were excellent dancers, and enjoyed dancing every weekend they could. They enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, pinochle, and especially their family and grandkids. Garfield had a great sense of humor, and always had a twinkle in his eye when he was telling a good story. Garfield lovingly cared for his wife Norma until her death on June 16, 2014.

He was a longtime member of the Eagles and Moose clubs.

Garfield is survived by his daughters, Sherry Abel and partner Brian Whirry of Kalispell, Joyce Hanson and her husband Darren of Kalispell, and Karen Servo at the family home and Springfield, Oregon. He has five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren whom he loved dearly. Grandkids include Christa Handford of Kalispell, Joel Mueller of Vancouver, Washington, Michelle Thomas of Bend, Oregon, and Jake Finsaas of Springfield, Oregon. He is also survived by his sisters, Sharon Woodworth of Arizona and Linda Eaton of Glendive; and brothers, Peter Servo of Pahrump, Nevada, Nicky of Stockton, California, and Doug Servo of Kalispell.

Garfield was preceded in death by his wife Norma Ginther Servo, granddaughter Jennifer Lynn Servo, sister Gayle Harp Zinn, and son-in-law Thomas Abel.

A celebration of Garfield’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls with full military rites. A luncheon at the church will follow. Contributions may be made in memory of Garfield to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, or donor’s choice.