Toews, Henry C. (1886-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 May 28 p. 9

Birth date: 1886 Mar 28

text of obituary:

HENRY C. TAVES [sic Toews]

Henry C. Taves [sic Toews] was born March 28, 1886, in Newton, Kansas. He was the third child of Henry and Anna Wiebe Toevs [Toews], and was educated in Newton.

He arrived in Aberdeen, Idaho the spring of 1908, and was followed by the family in the fall of the same year. In November of that year, Father Toevs [Toews] entered the mercantile business and operated the People’s Store until 1910. At that time, his sons Henry C. and John took over the business.

On November 30, 1910, Henry married Louie [Louisa] Hardy in Salt Lake City. There were four children born to this union, two of whom died in early childhood.

The two brothers operated the People's Store until 1932, when Henry moved to Portland, Oregon. There he was employed by the Western States Wholesale Grocery Co., later being transfered [sic] to Colorado where he operated stores in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Denver.

In 1937 he moved to Salt Lake City and entered the construction business. In 1947 he returned to Aberdeen and resumed business with his brother.

He was a lifelong member of the Mennonite church, and director of the choir for many years, and took an interest in all the activities of the church. He also was a charter member of the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, and displayed an interest in all civic affairs. He was one of the organizers of the Eastern Idaho District Fair, and served as board member and treasurer for a number of years.

He enjoyed traveling, and in his recent past took several trips the East Coast to visit his two sons.

A week ago today, he and Louie Louisa] drove to Salt Lake City, intending to spend a week's vacation with Louie’s [Louisa's] family. While at the home of Eugene W. Hardy, he was suddenly stricken with an acute heart attack and succumbed immediately on Wednesday, May 13, about 11:30 a.m.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Helen, and his son, Donald. In addition to his widow, he is survived by two sons, Dr. Ernest H. Taves [Toews], New York, and Dr. Milton A. Taves [Toews], Wilmington Delaware; two grandchildren, Marsha Ann, and Donald Ernest; three brothers and a sister, John E. Toevs [Toews] and Mrs. Magda Dirks, Aberdeen. Otto D. Taves [Toews], San Jose, Calif., and E. Walter Toevs [Toews], Spokane, Wash., and numerous other relatives and friends who mourn his passing.

Funeral services were conducted in the First Mennonite church, Aberdeen, Rev. H. N. Harder officiating. Music was provided by an octet composed of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Wedel, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hege, Mr. and, Mrs. Alvin Funk, Mrs. O. D. Becker and Edwin Becker, and Alden Toevs, organist. “My God and I,” “Be Still My Soul," “What a Fellowship” were sung in the church. At the services in the home preceding the church service, the octet sang, “Does Jesus Care?" and at the cemetery, “Take Thou My Hand.”

The pallbearers were nephews of the deceased: Walter Kopper, Gorden Toevs, Rolland Toevs, Douglas Hardy, Howard Hardy, Roy Hardy, Mr. Taves [sic Toews] was laid to rest in the Aberdeen cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1953 Jun 2 p. 349