Toews, Peter P. W. (1874-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Feb 2 p. 3

Birth date: 1874 Jun 20

text of obituary:

PETER P. W. TOEWS

Peter P. W. Toews was born in South Russia June 20, 1874, and passed away in a Merced hospital, Merced, Calif., Dec. 28, 1949, at 10:30 a. m. at the age of 75 years, six months, and eight days.

From Russia he moved with his parents to Manitoba where he grew to manhood and received his education, of which he made good use, several times helping as a teacher. He also wrote for several papers as news reporter and his reports were read with interest by many.

He repented at the age of 17 and was baptized upon the confession of his faith into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, to which he remained faithful to the end of his life’s journey.

His occupation was that of carpenter. The last year his eyes became weaker and his vision was very dim toward the last. He took his suffering patiently and with a peaceful look on his face, he quietly breathed his last. He leaves to mourn his departure his bereaved wife, 12 children, 60 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

He was joined in marriage with Kathryn Klassen in 1895. To this union were born seven children; Peter K. Toews of Middleton, Mich., Mrs. Elizabeth Nemec of Calgary, Alberta, Mrs. Anna Fricke of Middleton, Mich., Mrs. Marie Jantz of Three Hills, Alberta, Abe Toews of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Mrs. Margaret Amoth of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and Mrs. Susan Spence of Livingston, Calif.

After his first wife died he was a widower for about two years and then entered into matrimony with Bertha Otto of Reed City, Mich. To this union were born five children; Mrs. Minnie Ludwig of Winton, Calif., Mrs. Frances Cupples of Atwater, Calif., Otto Toews of Ogden, Utah, and Leah Toews of the home. Three brothers, Cornelius Toews, Isaac Toews and John W. Toews of Swalwell, Alberta, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Wiebe of St. Anne, Manitoba, also survive.

We mourn our loss with the blessed assurance that father has gone to his eternal rest.

The texts read at the funeral service by Rev. D. H. Dyck were Psalms 90:1-12, Rev. 14:1-3 — The family.