It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a loving husband, father and grandfather. Ludvik Pahulje passed away peacefully with his family at his side in Lethbridge on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at the age of 92 years.

He is survived by his wife, Danica and children, Dani, Majda (Malcolm), Ludvik (Jehan) and Bernadette and grandchildren, Michael, Katherine, Stefan and Mikaela. He is also survived by his sister-in-law and her husband and numerous nieces and nephews and their families in Toronto and Slovenia. Ludvik was predeceased by his parents, three brothers and two sisters in Slovenia.

Ludvik was born on December 26, 1916 in the village of Rakitnica, Slovenia. His personal experiences with war and its hardships prompted him to escape in the 1940s, without any of his family, to an Austrian refugee camp where he met his future wife, Danica. In 1948, he immigrated to Canada with only a few personal belongings, no English and the hope of new and better opportunities.

After an initial, brief stay in Ontario working as a railway laborer, he came to Southern Alberta to join Danica and her family. They were married in 1950 in Lethbridge where they raised their four children.

Ludvik appreciated the opportunities that Canada provided. He began his construction career as a carpenter. His roots as a carpenter and his entrepreneurial spirit and hard work developed into a multi-faceted career; residential contractor and property developer (about a thousand times in Lethbridge, particularly the Lakeview subdivision, sometimes whimsically referred to as ""Pahulje's Coulee"" and Medicine Hat, commercial contractor and property developer, hotel and several office and retail buildings), hotelier and commercial property owner/manager.

He recognized the value of education and encouraged and supported his children in obtaining university degrees. A personal highlight came in 2003 when the University of Lethbridge conferred him with an honorary doctorate degree.

Ludvik was involved in several local service organizations and clubs, such as the Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus and the board of directors of the Lethbridge Community College Foundation and the Henderson Lake Golf Club. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed hunting, watching hockey games and reading.

His love of life and determination were evidenced by the rigors of the routine treatment as a dialysis patient for the last eleven and a half years of his life.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Morley Wong, and the staff of Units 4C and 5B at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital and the Lethbridge Dialysis Unit.

A Prayer Service (vigil rites) will be held at 7:00pm, on Monday, June 29, 2009 at the OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 - 12 Ave., S., Lethbridge, AB.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am, on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at the OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 - 12 Ave., S., Lethbridge, AB, with Father Raul Hernandez, celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, and for those who wish, donations may be made to the Calgary Health Trust (re: Ludvik Pahulje Endowed Fund), #800, 11012 Macleod Trail S.E., Calgary, Alberta, T2J 6A5, being a fund established several years ago by Ludvid to support the treatment and care of hemodialysis (kidney) patients in Lethbridge and surrounding area.