Obituary of Art Just

The family of Art Just, of Yorkton, and formerly of Churchbridge, beloved husband of Gwen Just, sadly announce his passing on June 21, 2023 in Yorkton. He was 72 years of age.

A Celebration of Life was held on June 30, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. from Churchbridge Community Hall.

Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Yorkton Branch or the Family and Friends Community Foundation, Art & Gwen Just Memorial Fund as gifts of remembrance.

Art was born to Joyce (Harvey) and Gordon Just in Yorkton on November 16, 1950. From a young age he learned the value of hard work and commitment to doing a job well, working delivering newspapers and at the bowling alley to help his family while his mother raised three children as a single parent. After graduating from Yorkton Regional High School, he began full-time employment at Yorkton Union Hospital.

Art met Gwen Putland when they were both working at the hospital, and they were married on August 18, 1973.

Art and Gwen moved to Moose Jaw after they were married, where Art completed his Business Administration education at STI, and then began working for Firestone around the same time as Kirk was born in 1975.

In 1977, Art started his 34 year career in the potash industry with IMC and the family moved to Churchbridge. Krista joined the family in 1978, and Art and Gwen happily raised the family, living in Churchbridge for over 25 years, appreciating friendships and community involvement and being in close vicinity to the majority of both the Putland and Just family relatives.

Art was quickly and warmly welcomed into the large Putland family and thoroughly enjoyed family get-togethers, playing cards with the brother-in-laws and sharing stories and jokes by the bonfire. He always liked to tease after playing schafkopf for pennies with the brothers-in-law when he was a big winner, “I won 14 cents tonight!” After growing up without his Dad present, he especially valued his close bond with father-in-law, Henry.

Art was a dedicated family man who loved a good joke, classic muscle cars, sports (especially hockey, bowling and golf), 50’s and 60’s rock and roll, and most of all his very favorite partner in crime, his only grandchild Landon, who was the apple of his eye.

There was nothing Art would not do for his family; as a steadfast provider who always taught his children about responsibility and doing what is right, his morals and dedication will continue on. Some of his favorite times were spent with the family on vacations at Duck Mountain, Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean and many road trips when the kids were young.

Art was predeceased by his mother Joyce Just, father Gordon Just, mother-in-law and father-in-law Doris and Henry Putland, brother and sister-in-law Albert and Maxine Just, and brother-in-laws Ronnie Putland, Arnold VanCaeseele, Dave Hamers, Lloyd Farmer, Barry Strong and Earl Kitz; he was surely greeted warmly in heaven by his very best fur-friend, Otis.

Art is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years Gwen, children Kirk Just and Krista (Ryan) Boychuk; grandson Landon Boychuk; sister Gail (Wayne) Jensen; in-laws Barb VanCaeseele, Kay Hamers, Violet Farmer, Vallery Putland, Fern (Harold) Wagner, Gale Strong, Janice (Dean) Schendel, Sandra Kitz, Doug (Sandra) Putland, Wanda (Glen) Radbourne, Garnet (Eveline) Putland, Colleen (Frank) Albert and Devona Putland; Art and Gwen’s godchildren Scott Wagner, Henrietta (Just) Schafer, Chris Jensen, Brent Johnson and Troy Kitz, as well as many nieces, nephews and good friends. 

 “When there comes a day we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”