Honouring Picture Butte’s 2025 Citizen of the Year

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Morris Zeinstra is Picture Butte’s Citizen of the Year.

The longtime area resident is being recognized for his dedication, hard work and the many contributions he has made to the community at the Picture Butte and District Chamber of Commerce Best of Butte Awards. 

He will be presented with his distinction at the chamber’s annual awards ceremony on Oct. 17 at Coyote Flats Pioneer Village.  

“I was somewhat in shock that I got nominated for that,” said Zeinstra. “I was very floored that they chose me.” 

Zeinstra, who has been a Division 7 councillor for Lethbridge County for the past 19 years, has lived the majority of his life in Canada, just north of town since arriving here from Holland in 1967 at the age of 18.  

His brother John, who lived and worked in the Picture Butte area, encouraged him to come to Alberta and work for Cor Van Raay, an entrepreneur who later founded Cor Van Raay Farms.  

“Cor was looking for a man to work and help through the summer so that’s how I came here,” said Zeinstra, noting shortly after arriving in the Picture Butte area, he and his brother began farming together for several years, before going their separate ways.

Zeinstra married his wife Jackie in 1973 and they had two sons while continuing to farm, growing grain and sugar beets for more than 50 years.     

“I was brought up on a farm in the old country and I wanted to farm,” said Zeinstra. “That’s why my brother John came and he suggested that I come here too and that was one of the biggest reasons I stayed (because) I was able to farm.”

Zeinstra retired from farming about five years ago and one of his sons took over the family farm, where he continues to help out and live his passion for farming.  

Over the years, he has made many contributions to the region and Picture Butte community and has served on several organizations including the Picture Butte Ag Society and the Knights of Columbus. He was a board member on the Lethbridge North Irrigation District (LNID) for 17 years and has been a Lethbridge County councillor for close to two decades. 

“It’s a great community. The Picture Butte area is the greatest community to be in,” said Zeinstra, noting the people and organizations there help make it such a great place to live and work. 

Zeinstra is once again seeking a council seat in Lethbridge County in this year’s municipal election. It is a job he has been more than happy to fulfill. 

“It’s not a duty, but it’s a great pleasure to be able to do that – to serve the people,” he said, adding he appreciates his time on council and his time as a member of the Picture Butte community. 

“We still live on a farm and I just love anything to do with farming. It doesn’t matter what it is,” said Zeinstra. “I just have great passion for it.”