JOY BIEM

1918 - 2000

Joy Curtis Biem, beloved husband of Lorrene Biem of Taber, passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2000 at the age of 82 years.
Joy was born the son of Gustav and Mary Biem on November 4, 1918 in Leads, North Dakota, U.S.A. At a young age he moved with his family to a rural area near Swift Current, Saskatchewan. He married Lorrene Torrans in Swift Current in March of 1940. Shortly after, he enlisted in the Air Force serving his country for five years. Following his service, he returned to Swift Current where he worked at the Experimental Farm until 1949. Joy and Lorrene, along with their family moved to Alberta settling in Vauxhall. There he started his own contracting company called B & B contracting and then Biem Builders. They moved to Taber where Joy became involved with Town Council and served as President of the Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Choral Society and enjoyed participating in musical and drama presentations. In 1986 Joy retired but remained active by playing music and tending to his garden. He also worked as a locksmith and up until four years ago operated a saw sharpening business. Joy will always be remembered by his friends and family as a kind, loving man who always had a smile on his face. Besides his wife Lorrene, he will be forever remembered and cherished by two daughters, LaVane Cowie of Taber and Phyllis (Vern) Smathers of Taber; a son Calvin (Linda) Biem of Delta, B.C.; nine grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Barry (Brenda) Cowie of Red Deer and their children Vanessa, Denay, Kimberly and Nichole; Kelly (Paul) Elser of Lethbridge and their children Ryley and Alexa; Kevin Cowie of Calgary; Carole Cowie of Calgary; Darrin (Yvonne) Smathers of Taber and their children Alana, Larrisa, Jessica and Taryn; Jenny Biem (Ray) and daughter Skyray, of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia; Joy Smathers of Calgary; Cary Biem (Stu) of Pemberton, British Columbia and Brenda Biem (Kirk) of Whiterock, British Columbia as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Joy was predeceased by his parents Gustav and Mary; two brothers Elmer and Henry and two sisters Carrie and Malinda.
The Funeral Service was held at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, December 15, 2000 at 2:00 P.M. with Mr. Vern Beck officiating. Private family burial followed in the Taber Memorial Garden.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Joy’s name can be made directly to the Taber Salvation Army 5215 - 47 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1R5.