Obituary - Joseph George Pruys

Joseph George Pruys passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at the Comfort & Care Home in Havre.

Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2018, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. Burial will be at 3 p.m. at the Cottonwood Cemetery north of Havre. There will be a visitation period Tuesday, May 8, at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home from 2 to 6 p.m.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Joe's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Joe was 86 years old, born on Christmas Day 1931 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Havre to Herman and Christine Roth Pruys. He was raised on the family homestead, attending Cottonwood School through eighth grade, when he quit school to help his father on the farm. Joe remained on the family farm until he retired in 2012.

Joe was active in the Cottonwood community, serving on the Cottonwood School Board, North Havre County Water District Board and was the fire chief for the Wildhorse Rural Fire Department for 33 years. He helped maintain the Cottonwood Cemetery and St. John's Catholic Church. He also served on the Farmer's Grain Exchange Board, was a member of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, was a Knight of Columbus and member of the Havre Eagles Club.

Joe loved farming and tinkering in his shop. His love for John Deere farm equipment was well known and anything he manufactured in his shop was spraypainted John Deere green or yellow. His shop was a gathering place for his friends, who called it "Joe's Coffee Shop," where everyone was greeted with a cup of coffee and cookies he swore he baked himself.

Joe retired from farming when he was 80 years old. He lived at the farm until an injury required him to move in with his sister Anna Berg. Joe was very lucky to have Anna, his devoted sister who was with him every day until his passing.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Christine Pruys; siblings Angie Fitz, Dorothy Sivertson and Herman Pruys Jr .; and his brother-in-law Raymond Berg.

He is survived by his sister Anna Berg of Havre, five nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Joyce Springer Pruys and brother-in-law Mike Fitz.

Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, Wildhorse Rural Fire Department, the Care and Comfort Home of Havre or donor's choice.