Toevs, Henry H. (1870-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Apr 10 p. 6

Birth date: 1870 May 7

text of obituary:

. . .

— Henry H. Toevs, former merchant here, died Sunday at the Bethel Home for Aged where he had resided since 1952. He was 87. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the First Mennonite Church, with Rev. Arnold Epp and Rev. J. E. Entz officiating. Mr. Toevs was born at Heubuden, Germany on May 7, 1870, and came to Newton when 11 years old. Survivors include three sons, six daughters and a brother, Rudolph Toevs, a resident of the Bethel Home.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Apr 17 p. 8

text of obituary:

HENRY H. TOEVS

Our father, Henry H. Toevs, son of Rev. J. R. and Helene Funk Toevs, was born May 7, 1870, in Heubuden, West Prussia, Germany. The family came to the United States on September 15, 1884, locating at McLain, Kansas. he attended the local schools and preparatory school at Halstead.

He was baptized upon confession of faith by elder Rev. Jacob Toevs on May 29, 1887, and received into the membership of the First Mennonite Church, Newton, Kansas, which he attended regularly.

On April 12, 1894, he was united in marriage to Margaretha Regier and they made their home on a farm near McLain. later they made their home in Newton during which time he had a grocery store. the Lord blessed them with ten children. When he became a traveling salesman for the International Harvester Co. in 1921, he with his family moved to Parsons, Kansas. Here the members of the family were influential in church and social life.

On August 4, 1935, his beloved wife was called home to be with the Lord. In 1937 he returned to Newton, and on June 27, 1937, he was married to Mrs. Helen Dyck Ensz. This marriage was of short duration, being dissolved by death on January 2, 1947, when, after nine years of married life our step-mother passed away as a result of severe burns. This brought father great sorrow and for a number of years he lived a very lonely life.

The last six years of his life were spent in the Bethel Home for Aged in Newton. Here he was loved by all the workers and nurses. He was known for his kindness and generosity. He never failed to say "thank you" for any kindness shown him. He loved to sing and while he was able to do so, he would sit in the hall and sing in a beautiful tenor voice while another resident at the Home played the piano.

Having been in ill health for some time, he was released of his earthly cares and called home to be with the Lord, whom he served faithfully, on Easter Sunday, April 6, 1958, having reached the age of 87 years and 11 months.

He is survived by one brother, Rudolph Toevs, who is also a resident at the Bethel Home; six daughters, Mrs. Helen Regier and husband Cornelius of Peabody, Kansas, Mrs. Ella Keichner and husband James of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Mrs. Margaret Wheeler and husband Max of Ponca City, Okla., Mrs Frieda Menne and husband Harold of Aurora, Colo., Mrs. Martha Reed and husband Lloyd of Parsons, Kansas, Mrs. Elvera Kuffler and husband Alfred of Parsons; three sons, Henry Toevs and wife Betty of Newton, William Toevs and wife Bobby of Sanford, Florida, Herman Toevs and wife Sarah of Parsons; 21 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted at the First Mennonite Church of Newton, with Rev. Arnold Epp and Rev. J. E. Entz officiating. Burial was made in Greenwood Cemetery — The Family.