Obituary of Elmer Jacob Toews

Elmer Jacob Toews was born to Jacob L. and Mary Unruh Toews at the farm at Linden, Alberta on July 14, 1928. God took him home the evening of August 15, 2015, surrounded by family in the Stettler Hospital. Dad was the second youngest of a large family; he enjoyed the family farm doing field work with his brothers and sisters. During his 87 years he experienced the change from horse drawn equipment to modern machinery. Dad gave his heart to the Lord at the age of 16 and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite at Linden, Alberta. He walked faithfully with God until the end. Dad met our Mother, Helen Penner, when she came to visit relatives. They fell in love and were married on April 18, 1954 at Greenland, Manitoba. They shared the joys and sorrows of life for 61 years. Our Dad supplied our needs capably through his farming, raising grain crops and cattle. We spent 3 years at Entice, AB with a small group of church families, which never developed into a congregation. God prompted our parents to pull up roots at Linden and move to the young congregation of Stettler, Alberta in 1973. Our family enjoyed the adventures of a new home and farm, the many visitors and a young congregation. Dad’s interests were diverse, he maintained his farm with its needs such as carpentry, plumbing, wiring, welding; and nurturing trees on the prairie landscape. In November 1973, just months after moving to Stettler, Dad was ordained into the deaconry by Min. Dewey Unruh. Our parents served the church faithfully including eleven years in the Canadian mission outreach. He was instrumental in starting the Montreal Boys Unit, involved with the tent meeting efforts and chaired the transition from Northern Districts Mission Board to CPS Canada and Missions Canada. They served two years as house parents in the Carrot River Outpatient Home. His gentle nature and patient quiet ways were appreciated by many. Throughout the years, Dad and Mom opened their home and hearts to various family members and friends, who enriched our lives. We benefitted from our parents unselfish example. In recent years failing health and increasing dementia caused difficulties. A year ago we moved Dad and Mom from their home to an assisted living facility in Stettler. We treasure the morning a month ago when God blessed Dad and Mom with a warm and tender visit together. They talked of Heaven and their love, and the verse “Draw nigh unto God” became meaningful. We are comforted that Dad is at rest and safe in the arms of Jesus. We, as a family, wish to thank Dr. Heaven and Dr. Bouwer, the first responders of the Big Valley Fire Department, Stettler EMS and the staff of Stettler Hospital and Points West Living for their excellent care of our father. Dad will be lovingly remembered by our Mother, Helen and their children and grandchildren: Rosanna and George Toews, Stettler, AB, Noreen and Jody Wohlgemuth, Kevin and Valerie, Eric and Rachel, Dennis and Melissa, Linda and Philip Johnson; Mervin and Diana Toews, Berwick, NS, Jennifer and Rob Wohlgemuth, Daniel and Grace, Bradley and Fen, Lori; Kathy and Keith Klassen, Stettler, AB, Cameron and Heather, Randy, Rilla, Natalie; and 19 great grandchildren; one brother, Harvey M. and Susan Toews, Linden, AB, a sister in law Barbara and Harvey Thiessen, Pincher Creek, AB; Mom’s family: Elizabeth Barkman, Caroline Penner, Esther Penner, Lydia Toews, Marianne and Leroy Reimer, Naomi and Clifford Warkentin, Marlene Penner, Cornie and Linda Penner, Joseph and Adeline Penner. Preceding him in death were his parents, one brother and seven sisters and their spouses. Funeral Service 11:00 AM Thursday, August 20, 2015 Church of God in Christ, Mennonite County of Stettler, Alberta Donations in memory of Elmer are gratefully accepted to Points West Living or Stettler & District Ambulance Association