Susan Servais

Susan Elizabeth (Sue) Servais age 79 of Rochester passed away on October 27, 2018 after a short second battle with lung cancer. She was grateful for the additional 17 years she had after her first cancer diagnosis and lived those 17 years to the fullest. Sue was born to Robert J. (Roy) and Ihla L. (Barton) Ellingson on June 6, 1939 in Graceville, MN. They resided on the family farm near Ortonville, MN. Her sister Mary Kathleen (Kathy) joined the family in December of 1951. Sue attended Big Stone County District 14 country school until the 8th grade and then graduated from Ortonville High School in 1957. She attended Moorhead State College graduating in 1961 with bachelors degrees in business education and instrumental music. She was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International music fraternity and Tau Chi Mu music fraternity while there. After graduating, she taught in Karlstad, Minnesota, Kickapoo Valley schools in Wisconsin and in Antigo, Wisconsin. She met her husband Wayne Servais while teaching in Angtigo and they were married on June 29, 1968. Sue and Wayne relocated to Rochester where Wayne had been offered a Librarian position at John Marshall High School. They have remained in Rochester for 50 years. Their daughter Kathleen Marie was born on October 28, 1969. Sue and her daughter spent summers back at the family farm in Ortonville while Wayne was pursuing his Masters and Education Specialist degrees in library science. Sue was an avid bowler and took pride in her 600 pin. She belonged to many leagues over the years. She volunteered for the Rochester Figure Skating Association in the 1980's and she served as an on-call para professional for Mayo, John Marshall and Willow Creek schools. Sue also volunteered at her church Our Savior's Lutheran in many capacities. She would fill in for the church secretary, loved running the sound system and also participated on many church boards. Sue and Wayne loved to travel and in their retirement they visited their daughter in Florida and then proceeded to travel to both coasts, including many bus tours on which they made many dear friends. Sue is survived by her husband Wayne, her daughter Kathy (Derek) Muthart, her sister Kathy (Richard) Nordgren of Hazen, ND, niece Stephanie (Andrew) Schneider of Glens Falls, NY and nephew Erik Nordgren of Fargo, ND. She was preceded in death by her parents. Visitation will be from 5 to 8pm on November 6, 2018 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home in Rochester. A memorial service will be held at 11am on November 7, 2018 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 2124 Viola Rd N.E. Rochester, MN. Burial will follow at Oakwood East Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Our Saviors memorial fund or the Rochester Symphony Orchestra. The family would like to extend gratitude to everyone at the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Hospice, she was grateful to remain at home. A heartfelt thank you is also extended to the members of Our Savior's and also to everyone who visited, brought food and sent cards to Sue. Every one of you brightened her last days.