MR. MATIJA (MATHEW) KELENC of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Mrs. Cecilija Kelenc, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at St. Michael's Palliative Care Centre, on May 27th, 2012 at the age of 82 years.

Matija was born in 1930, in Gornja Bistrica, Slovenia. In 1958, together with his wife Cecilija and their two young daughters they left their homeland of Slovenia. Upon arriving in Lethbridge, Matija found work at the local cannery, and then later in his trade as a bricklayer, where he honed his skills until his retirement in 1995. His work legacy can be found in the numerous buildings he helped construct, throughout Lethbridge and Southern Alberta.

Matija is survived by his beloved wife Cecilija of 58 years, his loving daughters Bernarda (Ron) Dickie of Williams Lake, B.C., Dragica (Vince) De Pippo of Cranbrook, B.C., and Matthew (Cheryl) Kelenc of Calgary, Alberta. Granddaughters Vanesa (Kevin) Kernaghan, Jennifer (Barrett) Gysemans, Amanda Dickie, Vanessa (Peter) Principalli, Jennifer De Pippo, and grandsons Ryan Telkamp, Travis Dickie and Reed (Leslie) McCowan. Great Grandchildren Victoria and Daniel Kernaghan, Christopher Principalli, Logan and Luke McCowan, and Matija's brother Stefan (Fedus) Kelenc of Cleveland, Ohio, and sister Treza (Ivan) Kohek of Gornja Bistrica, Slovenia, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their families. Matija will be sadly missed by his loving family and friends.

Vigil Rites (Prayers) will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4th Street South.

A Funeral Mass, in celebration of his life, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 31st, 2012 at OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 - 12th Avenue S., with Father Tim Boyle celebrant. Interment at Mountain View Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish to honour Matija's memory may send a donation to the St. Michael's Foundation, in Lethbridge.