Toews, Maria Wiebe (1873-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Apr 17 p. 8

Birth date: 1873 Oct 2

text of obituary:

MRS. JACOB TOEWS

Our mother, Maria Wiebe Toews, was born on Oct. 2, 1873, in the village of Neuendorf, South Russia, the oldest of 12 children, and departed from this life to be with her Savior on Saturday, April 5, 1958, at Dinuba, Calif. She attained the age of 84 years, six months and three days.

She accepted Christ as her Savior at the age of 10, was baptized at the age of 12 and received into the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren Church.

When she was about 20 years of age, after the death of her mother and the re-marriage of her father, she accepted a position as seamstress and followed this occupation until her marriage.

On Feb. 17, 1901, she joined hands in holy wedlock with Jacob Toews. This union was blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters. One son died in infancy. They were permitted to travel life's highway together for more than 55 years, until father's death in June 1956.

In 1904 they emigrated to the United States, arriving at Weatherford, Okla. at the end of January of that year. They stayed there only six weeks and moved on to Dallas, Oregon, where they lived for five and one-half years. In the fall of 1909 they came to the Reedley community and followed the occupation of farming.

Mother taught Sunday School for many years and was always very interested in missionary work and assisting the needy. After she was unable to help at the church, she worked independently, making up parcels of clothing for South America. She also made many quilts for homeless children in Korea.

She enjoyed relatively good health until February 195, when she fell and broke her hip. Her convalescence was slow and she never fully regained her strength, although she was able to carry on her household tasks.

Late in March of this year her strength failed noticeably. She was taken to a rest home a week before her passing and was able to be up and around until four days before her departure. The evening before her passing, the songs "Dort uber jenem Sternen Meer" and "Ich weis einen Strom dessen herrliche Flut" were being played during the evening meal. She stopped eating and joined in the songs, speaking the words. Her constant prayer and desire in life were to please God, and we have the assurance that she is now in the presence of her Savior.

She leaves to mourn her departure one son, Peter Toews, of Dinuba, Calif.; three daughters, Marie, Mrs. John P. Klassen of Sardis, B. C., Agnes, Mrs. John Christensen of Chula Vista, Calif., and Mrs. Anne Beswick of Dinuba; six grandchildren; two brothers at Virgil, Ontario, A. J. Wiebe, and Peter Wiebe; one sister, Susanna, in Siberia, and one brother, Gerhard Wiebe, in Brazil, as well as many other relatives and friends.

The funeral for Mrs. Toews was held in the Reedley M. B. Church. Rev. Dan Friesen, Rev. H. R. Wiens, and Rev. John Richert served. The Children.