Toews, Johann (1882-1976)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1977 Jan 7 p. 28

Birth date: 1882 apr 28

text of obituary:

JOHANN TOEWS

ohann Toews, a resident of the Menno Home in Abbotsford, B.C., passed away on August 19 after a period of illness. He was born on April 28, 1882 in Neukirch, Russia. In 1902 he accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour, was baptized and accepted into the Mennonite Brethren fellowship. His marriage to Aganetha Rempel on January 15, 1903 lasted over 71 years. The Toews were blessed with eight children, four of whom predeceased them.

After moving to Canada in 1926, the Toews family spent ten years at Drake, Sask., and then moved to Yarrow, B.C. in 1936. Here they lived and fellowshipped until moving to the Tabor Home in Clearbrook, B.C. in 1963. After Mrs. Toews' passing in 1974, he moved to the Menno Home, his home until his death. A funeral service was held at the Yarrow Mennonite Brethren Church with Rev. Abe Klassen officiating.

Mr. Toews was handy and creative with his hands. As a young man he was both a carpenter and a shoemaker. During the last two decades he took up drawing and painting, a constant pastime until shortly before his death. He read his Bible often and spent hours singing songs to himself from the old church hymnal.

He leaves to mourn two sons, John of Clearbrook, and Jake of Monte Lake; two daughters, Helen (Mrs. Abe) Friesen of Drake, Sask., and Agnes (Mrs. Peter) Nightingale of Yarrow; one sister, (Mrs.) Justina Neufeldt in Russia; 25 grandchildren; 66 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren and many friends.