Toews, Isaac I. (1912-2000)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2001 Feb 02 p. 28

Birth date: 1912 Apr 14

text of obituary:

ISAAC I. TOEWS

Isaac I. Toews of Abbotsford, B.C passed away Dec. 1. He was born Apr. 14, 1912 to Isaac David and Elizabeth Toews in Petrovka, Orenburg, Russia. His mother was a caring, loving parent who gave him special care when he had rickets. She died of typhus when he was 10. He lived with his Uncle Henry Derksen, who fascinated him with woodworking, and then his grandmother, until his father remarried. In 1926 the family immigrated to Saskatchewan. He stayed at Gus Ediger's for several years, attending church and school with the Ediger children. Griesch Willms provided a home for him for 2 years. He did well at school but later had to continue his education by correspondence. He loved music and played tenor guitar in an amateur quartet; they won first prize at a festival and performed on radio in Regina. He committed his life to Christ at an evangelistic meeting; he was baptized in Lake Manitou by Mr. Esau. He attended Hepburn (Sask.) Bible School for a year. He taught himself to play the violin, later refining his skills under John Konrad in Winnipeg. He played in Ben Horch's orchestra for many years. In 1941 he married Frieda Isaac in Winnipeg. They attended North Kildonan MB Church. He worked for DeFehr Furniture for 2 years, then started his own upholstery business. They moved to Surrey, B.C. in 1971, then Abbotsford, where they joined Bakerview MB Church. He made furniture for MCC. He played in the Golden Strings Orchestra for many years and accompanied Bakerview's Fellowship Choir. The last 4 years he found walking difficult as a result of a stroke. Frieda faithfully care for him as long as she was able; then he moved to Menno Hospital. He is remembered as a caring husband, father and grandfather. Predeceased by 3 brothers, 1 sister and 1 half-sister, he is mourned by Frieda; children Bruno and Marion Reimer, both of Lethbridge, Alta., Richard of Abbotsford, Naomi Searle of Chemainus, B.C and Beverley Patterson of Winnipeg; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 5 half-sisters and 4 half-brothers. A memorial service was held Dec. 8 in Bakerview MB Church, with Jacob Quiring, Henry Thiessen and Ross Johnston ministering.