Norman L. ‘Norm’ Sulenes

Norman L. "Norm" Sulenes, 95, of Billings, died on March 16, 2015 in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii.

The son of Arthur and Minnie Sulenes, he was born in Minneapolis on Dec. 22, 1919. He was raised and educated in Minneapolis, serving in WWII with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during the invasion of Okinawa, and part of occupation forces in China.

Norm moved to Billings in 1946. He owned and operated Temperature Supply Company with branches in Great Falls and Casper, Wyo. During his career in the industry, Norm served as Secretary/Treasurer of Refrigeration Engineering Society for 26 years, and has been a member of that association since 1941. He was Past President of Billings Downtown Rotary Club and also served as the Rotary District Governor in 1970. Norman was also a member of the Billings YMCA Board of Directors for many years. He was widely known for his fundraising activities for the YMCA, St. John's Lutheran Ministries, Billings Clinic Northern Cancer Treatment Center, Al Bedoo Shrine and First English Lutheran Church. Norm also provided the sermons at church on many occasions.

Norm loved his second home in Kihei, moving there in 2014. He spent several winters there with his main love, his wife of 36 years, Mary Lou. Flying was another love. He owned several airplanes and his best flying memory was around the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix and Santo Domingo. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles and did so with the Makina Brigade of the Shrine. He loved most sports, but he especially enjoyed golf, ocean swimming, kayaking and fishing. He was a world traveler, taking many cruises over most of the world's oceans. Norm was also an honored Veteran to participate in the first Montana Honor Flight from Billings to Washington D.C., in 2012.

He was a member of First English Lutheran Church, Billings Rotary Club, Pryor Mountain Lodge, Scottish Rite, Al Bedoo Temple, American Legion, Elk's Club, Refrigeration Engineering Society and Hilands Golf Club (since 1959).

Like former President Reagan, Norm was known by "some" as the "Great Communicator." He wrote several articles for air conditioning trade magazines and extensively corresponded with old navy shipmates, friends and relatives.

Norm is survived by his son Greg (Merleen) Sulenes of San Jose, Calif.; daughter Jan (Mark) Measeck of Broomfield, Colo., Terry (Andy) Markovic of Broomfield, Colo.; stepsons, Mike (Dixie) Ball of Huron, S.D., David (Betty) Ball of Stevensville and Chuck (Lou Ann) Ball of Helena; grandchildren, Christopher Markovic, Gregory Markovic, B.J. Ball, Ryan Ball, Rob (Amber) Ball, Cody (Ashley) Ball, Sara (Al Gruebele) Ball and Sierra (Matt) Lowney). Great-grandchildren are Christopher and Charlotte Markovic, Liam Ball, Austin Bisom, Quinn Gruebele, Braylon Lowney and two additional great-grandchildren due in July and November 2015.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou Sulenes; and sisters, Marilyn Sulenes, June Peterson and Helen Peterson.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at First English Lutheran Church, with reception to follow. Private interment will follow in the Mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be sent to the organizations listed above.