MR. JOSEPH ""JOE"" JURIS, beloved husband of the late Mrs. Elizabeth Juris, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at the age of 88 years.

Joe was born in Sintava, Czechoslovakia on February 14, 1923. He immigrated to Canada in 1938 with his mother, sister Julia and brother Steve, to join their father Mike on the family farm north of Picture Butte. A few years later, the family purchased a farm near Iron Springs, where he met his future wife Betty Ragan. Joe & Betty were married on February 12, 1945 and over the years were blessed with four children.
After 10 years as a successful farmer, the family moved to Picture Butte where he ventured into the livestock business by opening Juris Livestock (a hog buying station and abbatoir). In 1962, along with Joe and Tony Perlich, Picture Butte Auction Market was established.

As the town of Picture Butte grew, Joe became very involved in the community. He served as a town councilor for many years as well as a member and president of the Picture Butte & District Chamber of Commerce. He served as a member of St. Catherine's Parish Council and a member of the provincial board in establishing St. Catherine's Separate School District. He then became a school board member and served as chairman of the board for over 7 years. Joe was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and held a lifetime membership in the BPOE Elks Club. In 1989 Joe & Betty were voted Citizens of the Year by the Picture Butte Chamber of Commerce for their community involvement. In 1993 Joe was presented with a Canada 125th Commemorative Medal, the only southern Albertan to receive this award.

Joe was also very involved in the cattle industry, at both the provincial and international levels. Joe was the Provincial President of the Alberta Auction Market Association as well as a director on the Board of the Trustees of North American Livestock Marketing Association. He was one of two Canadians that had ever served on that board at that time.
But above all, Joe was most proud of his Slovak Heritage. He was instrumental in establishing the Czechoslovakian Canadian Society in Lethbridge. Even though he was a devote Canadian, he was known for his singing of his favourite Slovak songs and sharing his many stories of the old country.

Over the years, Joe & Betty loved to travel, taking them to Mexico, Hawaii, Japan, Europe, and South America. In later years many trips were made to Mesa, Arizona. Joe also enjoyed golfing, playing cards, shooting pool, or just a good conversations with friends, where he would always make sure he shared a good joke. However, his most cherished times were times spent with his family.

Joe is survived by his four children Jim (Marlene) Juris of Picture Butte, Barbara (Ivan predeceased) Dowhaniuk of Red Deer, Patricia (Joe) Macdonald of Summerland, B.C., Joanne (Craig) Harding of Calgary; grandchildren Jackie (Neil), Andrea (Darren), Jennifer (Greg), Tracy (Warren), Karen, Robert, Lisa (Karl), Catherine, Meagan (Wes), David, Courtney; 11 great-grandchildren to whom he was a very special ""Detko""; dear friend Rose Stanko and her family; brother Steve (Emily) Juris; sisters-in-law Alma Ragan, Anne Christensen; numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Joe was predeceased by his parents Mike and Mary Juris, wife Betty; son-in-law Ivan Dowhaniuk; sister Julia Trechka and brothers-in-law John Ragan and John Trechka.

Vigil Rites (Prayers) will be held at 7:00pm on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4 Street South, Lethbridge.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2:00pm, on Monday, January 23, 2012 at ST. MARTHA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 355 Columbia Blvd West, Lethbridge, Alberta with Father Dennis McDonald celebrant. A Private Family interment will take place.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joe's memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, P.O. Box 2211, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4K7.