Toews, Abraham Henry (1885-1976)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1977 Jan 7 p. 28

Birth date: 1885 Oct 26

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM HENRY TOEWS

Abraham Henry Toews was born October 26, 1885, in Alexanderwohl, Molotschna, south Russia, the son of Henry and Katharina (nee Klassen) Toews. He received his elementary education in Alexanderwohl and his higher education in Halbstadt, following which he entered the teaching profession. In 1904 he was baptized on his confession of faith and accepted into the Mennonite Brethren Church.

He was bound in holy matrimony to Martha Susanna Friesen on August 22, 1913, a marriage blessed with one son and six daughters. Two daughters, Johanna and Ingvelde, predeceased him in childhood.

During World War I he served in the Medical Corps for three years. In 1917 he returned to the teaching profession in Blu· menort, south Russia. He emigrated to Canada with his family in 1925. After several years in rural Manitoba at Osborne and Arnaud, the family settled in Winnipeg in 1933 and joined the North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church. He was ordained as minister of the gospel in 1937. From 1942 to 1949 he served the church as leader. Fellow· ship and service were the deep commitments of his faith and life.

His wife became ill in 1950 and until her death in 1953 he lovingly cared for her. After this he returned to teaching for three years. He enjoyed teaching and these years gave him much pleasure and satisfaction.

In October, 1974 he was injured because of a traffic accident and had to spend 17 months in the hospital. He was happy to be able to return home in March, 1976. On October 26, after a happy 91st birthday celebration with his children and friends, he became suddenly ill and passed away peacefully on October 28, 1976.

He leaves. to mourn one son, Henry Helmut and his wife Freda; four daughters, Elfriede and her husband Henry Peters, Ida, Edith, and Dr. Helen Toews; five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; one brother Isaak, and one sister Sara Duerksen in B.C., one sister Susanna Suderman, and one sister-in-law Anna Toews in Saskatoon; nephews, nieces, and many friends.