Joseph Martin Berger of Central Butte passed away on January 1, 2013 at the grand age of 99 years. He was predeceased by an infant son Joseph, his wife Marjorie Berger; his parents Joseph and Katherine Berger, one brother Frank Berger; and five sisters; Barbara Baldwin (Edgar), Margaret Brehm (Frank), Katherine Coutts (Robert), Helen Morrisey (Melvin), Eva Cantrell (Emmitt), sister-in-law Margarite Berger, bothers-in-law Russell Campbell, John Nickel and daughter-in-law Mary Berger. Joe is survived by his son Richard Berger of Central Butte; two daughters; Diana Petersen (Charlie) of Brooks, Alberta and Sharon Grey of Phoenix, Arizona; two grandsons; Graham Petersen of Calgary, Alberta and Jeffrey Petersen of Brooks, Alberta; and a great- granddaughter Christina Petersen of Calgary, Alberta. Joe is also survived by brothers; Paul (Lucille) Berger, George Berger, Albert (Sheila) Berger, two sisters; Mary Campbell and Anna Nickel; step-granddaughter Brittany Bradds; and many nieces and nephews. Joe settled on his homestead Southwest of Central Butte in 1939 where he resided until he passed. Joe and Marjorie were married March 2, 1942. He hunted coyotes, rabbits, weasels and muskrats with a model A truck and sold the pelts. When the roads were bad he used horses. In the 1930’s Joe hitch hiked on trains to Ontario to find work during hard times. In his younger days he made money shearing sheep and stooking. Joe was an aggressive hockey player with the Robin Hood Maple Leafs and played in neighboring towns until in his late 40s. Joe loved to drive a truck and started trucking in 1947 hauling lumber, grain and cattle. Joe’s memory was incredible for facts, figures, events and people until his passing. He had so many stories of his diverse life and interests. He was an avid reader, particularly of National Geographic, wild life stories and farm newspapers. He was an avid player of word games. He loved to watch hockey, football and nature shows on television and played a sharp game of cards, particularly cribbage. He enjoyed listening to music and was a great violin player in his younger days. He and Marjorie would strike up a tune with her playing the piano and Joe accompanying her with his fiddle. Joe was a counselor for the R.M. of Enfield for 22 years. He attended the Swift Current Bull Sale for over 50 years and was honored for his attendance on his 99th birthday. Joe farmed and ranched cattle with his son well into his 90s. He could carry on a good conversation with the younger generation and asked many questions about their life and shared stories of his own. He enjoyed his children when they visited and there was never a dull moment with Joe. His son Richard cared for his Dad in their home until his passing. The family is very appreciative of the special people in Joe’s life who helped the family care for him and all the lives he touched and they touched his. Joe lived a long and productive life living into his century year. He touched many people with his kindness, generosity and friendship. He will be sadly missed by his loving family and many friends. The Funeral Service will be held in the Central Butte St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Monday January 7, 2013 at 2:00 PM with Wendy Gibson officiating. Interment will follow at the Riverhurst Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Iver Main Place in Central Butte would be appreciated by the family. In living memory of Joe, a memorial planting will be made by W. J. Jones & Son Funeral Home. Please sign the memorial register book at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries).