Toews, Nettie Willms (1911-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2001 Jul 13 p. 23

Birth date: 1911 Jul 11

text of obituary:

NETTIE TOEWS

Nettie Toews passed away Mar. 29 at Menno Home in Abbotsford, B.C. She was born July 11, 1911 to Johann and Gertrude Willms in Hierschau, Ukraine. Her father died when she was 3 and her mother when she was 13. When she was 15, the family, except for 1 brother, immigrated to Namaka, Alta. Here she was baptized and joined the EMB Church. She worked in Calgary for a few years but attended Coaldale (Alta.) Bible School for 2 winters. She occasionally sang in a mixed quartet with fellow student John A. Toews. In fall 1935 they married at Namaka. In 1937 they moved to Hillsboro, Kan., where she took some classes and John earned a BA In 1940 they moved to Coaldale, where John taught at the Bible school. Nettie was a full-time mother and homemaker. In 1947 they moved to Winnipeg so that John could teach at MB Bible College. She was diagnosed with asthma, which limited some of her activities. In 1967 they visited churches in Europe. They moved to Vancouver in 1968 then to Clearbrook, B.C In 1971 they spent a year in Fresno, Calif., where she helped John with research for writing the history of the Mennonite Brethren Church. When the Centre for MB Studies opened in Winnipeg in 1976, they moved back to Winnipeg. John died suddenly in 1979. She moved back to Clearbrook. She spent a lot of her time visiting her children and grandchildren across the continent. She prayed for them daily and never ceased being interested in their activities. She loved unconditionally and was greatly loved in return. She is mourned by daughters Elfrieda Nafziger of Manhattan, Kan., Wilma Kennedy of Richmond, B.C and Irene Maier of Kelowna, B.C; sons John of Seattle, Wash. and David of Kitchener, Ont.; 12 grandchildren; and 1 sister, who died Apr. 29. The funeral was Apr. 5 in Abbotsford.