MR. MATHIAS ""MATT"" HERBST of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Ethel Herbst passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at the age of 92 years.

Matt was born at Faith, Alberta on September 20, 1918 to Mathias and Magdelena Herbst. He was raised on the family farm and continued to farm for the greater part of his life. As a young man, Matt worked for O'Loane Kiely where he helped to pioneer mustard seed as a crop in southern Alberta. He helped found Canbra Foods, and was instrumental in introducing canola as a new oilseed crop. He was a founding member of the Southwest Barley Association and of Driland Feeders.

Matt married Ethel Ovans on July 3, 1947, and together they farmed in Warner, where they raised their four children. He and Ethel retired to Lethbridge in 1983. Matt always had a great curiosity about life and never stopped learning.

Besides his loving wife Ethel, Matt is survived by his daughters, Leanne Kloppenborg and Navee (Garry) Smith; his sons, Neil (Lavonne) and Arlyn; and grandchildren: Kim (Brandi) Dalton, Brendan Blair, Stefan Kloppenborg, Sean Herbst, Rebecca Blair, Andrew Herbst, Andreas Kloppenborg, Cesalee Herbst, Alyson Herbst, Austin Herbst, Madison Herbst and Kaden Herbst; and his sister Martha (John) Wedgwood.

He was predeceased by his parents, three brothers, four sisters, his son Veryl Herbst, and an infant daughter, as well as his daughter-in-law Gina (Woodbury) Herbst, and his grandson Joseph Herbst.

Vigil Rites (Prayers) will be held at 7:00 pm on Friday, November 12, 2010 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th Street South, Lethbridge.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at ST. PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 318 10th Street South, Lethbridge, with Father Tim Boyle, celebrant.

A Private Family inurnment will be held at Warner Cemetery.