George Servatius

George C. Servatius, age 87 of Melrose, died peacefully on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Melrose Area Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 15 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating and Rev. Ken Thielman and Rev. Art Hoppe concelebrating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. George Cyril Servatius was born February 22, 1924 in Melrose, Minnesota to Matt and Anna (Henry) Servatius. He grew up in Melrose where he attended St. Boniface Grade School and graduated from the Melrose High School. On October 1, 1962 he married Nellie Schimnich at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sauk Rapids. George was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. He had a six piece old time dance band for over 60 years, playing at all the major ballrooms in the area. He was the owner of G.S. Music Store in Melrose where he taught over 800 students, young and old. He was the originator of the Melrose Clown Band. George was inducted into the National Concertina Hall of Fame in 1986. He was a member of the St. Cloud Musician Association, Local 536, serving as a Board of Director for many years.

He also was a member of the Melrose Mutual Insurance Company, serving as President for over 45 years.

Survivors include his wife, Nellie Servatius of Melrose; and many nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Matt and Anna Servatius; sisters, Eugenia Braegelmann and Bernice Servatius; and brothers, Barney, Earl, and Harry Servatius.

Serving as casket bearers will be Gary Servatius, Jim Servatius, Dean Servatius, Scot Servatius, Nathan Servatius, and Nick Servatius. Cross bearer will be Brett Servatius and scripture bearer will be Jennifer Servatius. Reader will be Jennifer Servatius. Honorary bearers will be Brian and Julie Middendorf, Kevin "Chopper" and Sharon Goebel, Mike and Karen Zirbes, Kevin Middendorf, Jim Middendorf, Ben and Betty Escher, Kathy Servatius, and Sandy Servatius.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.