Toews, Anna L. Isaac (1879-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 23 Feb 1950 p. 3

Birth date: 1879

text of obituary:

ANNA L. TOEWS

Anna Isaac Toews was born on June 4, 1879, in Alexanderwohl, South Russia and passed away in the Memorial hospital, Upland, Calif., Feb. 1, 1950, at the age of 70 years, seven months and 24 days.

In 1893 she, with her parents and their family, came to America and settled on a farm two miles north of Bethel college, Newton, Kans., where the family resided several years.

At the age of 18, she and a group of twelve other young people were baptized in the college chapel by her uncle, the late Rev. David Goerz, and thus became a member of this newly-organized church.

On Dec. 29, 1901, she was married to Abraham K. Toews, El Reno, Okla. The marriage vows were taken in the college chapel and David Goerz performed the ceremony.

The young couple lived in El Reno the rest of the winter and in the spring they moved onto a claim west of Hinton, Okla. where they spent seven very busy years pioneering in a new country. She and her husband were helpful in building a small Mennonite church, known today as the Bethel Mennonite church of Hydro, Okla. She transferred her membership to this church and later to the First Mennonite church of Upland, Calif., where she was a faithful member to the end.

Three children, a son and two daughters, were born at this homestead. For reasons of health they sold the farm and came to Upland in1909 and lived at their home north of town until 1943, until health conditions again made it necessary to sell out and move to town, where they lived until her death. In California another son was born to them.

In later years she was sick much of the time and had submitted to several operations. The beginning of January she again became quite ill and was facing surgery once more. Completely resigned to the will of God, she entered the hospital on January 30. Much anxiety was felt about the outcome of this operation but apparently she withstood the ordeal quite well and even recognized those who were at the bedside the first day. Then the sudden collapse, a deep coma and she no longer heard our voices but she heard her Master’s voice and answered His call, slipping away quietly and peacefully at even tide on Feb. 1.

A very busy and useful life has come to its close. Whenever her health permitted she was active in church work and especially in relief work during the first and second world wars. Many needy ones will remember her for her kindly deeds.

She leaves to mourn her departure her husband, A. K Toews; two sons, Emil of Santa Monica, Calif. and John of Des Moines, Ia.; two daughters, Mrs. Irene Maurer of Bellflower, Calif. and Mrs. Frieda Weyhgandt of Cleveland, Ohio; two sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, six grandchildren; five sisters, Mrs. Marie Thiessen of El Monte, Mrs. Agnes Green and Mrs. Susie Reimer of Upland, mrs. Helen Simpkinson of Los Angeles, Mrs. Gertrude Hillendahl of Oakland; two brothers, Jacob H. Isaac of Sacramento and Theodore J. Isaac of Baldwin Park, Calif., besides other relatives and a host of friends.

The funeral services were conducted at the First Mennonite church in Upland on Monday, Feb. 6, by Rev. Earl Salzman, using the same text that had been use 48 years ago as their wedding text: “I will life up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” An octet sang two requested songs. A large number of friends gathered to pay their last respects to the departed and a profusion of flowers spoke of the high esteem in which she was held.

The remains were intered [sic] at the Belleview cemetery near Upland.