Norman L. Sodomka, 78, of Grand Island, died Friday, Jan. 28, 2022.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Kevin Geurink will officiate. Masonic service will be provided by Ashlar Lodge #33 AF&AM. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at All Faiths Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designations.

Norm was born May 1, 1943, in Columbus, the son of Norman J. and Norma L. (Severa) Sodomka. He was raised in Clarkson and Fremont, graduating from Fremont High School with the class of 1961. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Midland Lutheran College in 1965.

On Aug. 1, 1965, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Barbara Lovenburg. This union was blessed with children Rebecca Lynn and Norman "Daniel." They lived in Clarks for six years where Norm taught K-12 vocal and instrumental music.

In 1971, they made Grand Island their home where Norm was a band instructor for the Grand Island Public Schools for 30 years at Walnut Middle School. Following his retirement in 2001 he continued as a long-term substitute band instructor for Aurora Public Schools and then returned to Grand Island Public Schools as a full-time band instructor for the southside elementary schools for another six years.

Throughout Norm's musical career he played with many bands including the Dick Wickman Orchestra, The Ambassadors, the Al Grebnick polka band, the Bobby Mills Orchestra, the Dobytown Dixieland Band and the Kenny Shuda Orchestra, and led his own bands, Norm Louis and the New Ambassadors and the Sounds Unlimited dance band - not to mention subbing with many bands from across the state. Most recently, Norm was a member of the Hastings Symphony Orchestra and the Flatwater Jazz Orchestra.

When not playing, Norm founded and conducted the New Flock Jazz Band (a tri-city area big band) and conducted the Grand Island Municipal Band for many years. He was inducted into the Sokol Hall Polka Hall of Fame in 1998. He was also selected as the Grand Marshal for the 2009 Harvest of Harmony Parade. In addition to having taught many generations of students, he owned and operated the Stormin' Norman Detasseling Co.

Norm loved sharing his musical knowledge and helping his son with his "good band" at Aurora, which is how Norm referred to them. He also really enjoyed spending time at Sherman Lake "working" at his beloved cabin. What he loved the most, though, was his time with his family and attending his kids' and grandkids' many activities. His grandkids truly meant the world to him.

His memberships included First Presbyterian Church, a Master Mason, Tehama Shrine, 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Associate Guardian of Jobs Daughters Bethel #2, the Platt-Duetsche and the Grand Island Saddle Club.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 56 years, Barbara; daughter, Rebecca (Chris) Beck, and son, Dan (Laurie) Sodomka; grandchildren,

Casey and Tony Beck and Kylee, Norman "Ryan," and Katelyn Sodomka; brother, Dean (Jan) Sodomka; and his loving pets Molly and Fritz.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Norma and Norman J. Sodomka; and his in-laws, Lawrence and Lydia Lovenburg.

Published by The Grand Island Independent on Jan. 31, 2022.