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Rev Donald Joseph Toews

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Rev Donald Joseph Toews

Birth	:	26 Oct 1934 Steinbach, Steinbach Census Division, Manitoba, Canada
Death	:	28 May 2013 Steinbach, Steinbach Census Division, Manitoba, Canada
Burial	:	Church of God in Christ Mennonite Church Cemetery, Kleefeld, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate	:	49.5183240, -96.8731390
Description	:	Donald Joseph Toews was born on October 26, 1934, in Steinbach, Manitoba, to Ben E. and Mary Toews. He was the eldest of seven children. Although he was born without a right hand, it seldom seemed to handicap him; it was a characteristic by which he was known. Dad's boyhood was spent on the family farm near Steinbach. He became a Christian at the age of twelve and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite in Steinbach, Manitoba. Even as a young man, he was known for his generous and impartial nature, and those with challenges found... Read More	Donald Joseph Toews was born on October 26, 1934, in Steinbach, Manitoba, to Ben E. and Mary Toews. He was the eldest of seven children. Although he was born without a right hand, it seldom seemed to handicap him; it was a characteristic by which he was known. Dad's boyhood was spent on the family farm near Steinbach. He became a Christian at the age of twelve and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite in Steinbach, Manitoba. Even as a young man, he was known for his generous and impartial nature, and those with challenges found in him a source of inspiration. On August 8, 1957, he married Norma Barkman in Kleefeld, Manitoba. They were married for almost fifty-six years and were blessed with three sons and four daughters. From 1960 till 1963, Dad and Mom ran a home for handicapped children in Steinbach. In 1963, they went to the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona and served as missionaries on the Greasewood Mission, learning to speak with the Navajo people in their own language. Many lasting friendships were formed during those years. In 1968, they returned to Manitoba where they established their home in the Kleefeld area. Though Dad was not without failings, he lived a life of obedience to God. He could have chosen to use his talents for his own benefit and become financially successful, but instead his life proved the truth of God's promise, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you." In the early seventies, Dad established an accounting business with a clientele that included several car dealerships, the local stores in Kleefeld, and many farms and businesses. He was known and respected by his clients as much for his integrity, wisdom, and compassion, as for his professional skills. Dad was blessed with a strong, beautiful tenor voice. In the family-raising years he loved nothing better than to gather his children around him and sing. Many a happy hour was passed in this way. He was a natural and uninhibited song leader and could really keep a congregation going. When Dad was forty years old, he was elected and ordained to the ministry in the Kleefeld congregation. This was a major waypoint in Dad's life. He never faltered in his dedication to this calling. Dad faced hardship in a matter-of-fact way, without complaint. In 1996, Dad and Mom consented to go to Montreal, Quebec, as missionaries. Here they spent the next thirteen years in what proved to be the most demanding and rewarding work of their lives. Many refugees and immigrants from all over the world found sanctuary within the walls of the little church of which Dad had been placed in charge. Again many close and lasting friendships were formed. Dad and Mom filled the role of parents and grandparents to many of these people. In 2009, Dad and Mom returned home to Kleefeld and assumed the quiet role of parents and grandparents. On May 13, 2013, he was admitted to the Bethesda Hospital, Steinbach, Manitoba, where he was diagnosed with lymphoma. He very quietly and peacefully left this life in the twilight hours of May 28, 2013. In the last two weeks of Dad's life, we shared many special moments, as we, together with him, came to terms with the fact that his life's work was done. The legacy he left is precious and worth more to us than silver and gold. He is survived by his wife, Norma; four daughters and three sons: Roxanne and James Penner, Carrot River, Saskatchewan; Leone and Wayne Isaac, Steinbach, Manitoba; Tanya and Leland Penner, Carrot River, Saskatchewan; RoyJim and Sharon, Roger and Bonnie, Marshall and Christi, all of Kleefeld, Manitoba; other sons who called them Mom and Dad: Francois Demers, Grunthal, Manitoba; Ceti and Pamela Zyko, Calgary, Alberta; twenty-seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; four brothers, two sisters, and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, his parents-in-law, a granddaughter, and three brothers-in-law. The funeral service was held on June 1, 2013, at Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Kleefeld, Manitoba, with Ministers Ralph Wiebe, Denver Wiebe, and Lorne Schellenberg officiating. Interment was in Kleefeld Church Cemetery, Kleefeld, Manitoba.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Rev Donald Joseph Toews's memorial?
Rev Donald Joseph Toews's memorial is located at: Church of God in Christ Mennonite Church Cemetery, Kleefeld, Steinbach Census Division, Canada.
When did Rev Donald Joseph Toews death?
Rev Donald Joseph Toews death on 28 May 2013 in Steinbach, Steinbach Census Division, Manitoba, Canada
Where are the coordinates of the Rev Donald Joseph Toews's memorial?
Latitude: 49.5183240
Longitude: -96.8731390

Family Members:

Parent

Bernhard E. “Ben” Toews

(1905 - 1991)

Mary P. Wiebe Toews

(1911 - 2003)

Spouse

Norma Barkman Toews

(1939 - 2019)

Siblings

Rev Lorne Wilfred Toews

(1940 - 2020)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Church of God in Christ Mennonite Church Cemetery
Kleefeld, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5183240, -96.8731390

2. Kleefeld Evangelical Mennonite Cemetery
Kleefeld, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5180000, -96.8790720

3. Gruenfeld Pioneer Mennonite Cemetery
Kleefeld, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5281830, -96.8761670

4. New Bothwell Sommerfeld Mennonite Church Cemetery
New Bothwell, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5361510, -96.8904270

5. Randolph CMC Cemetery
Randolph, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5455430, -96.8300100

6. Vollwerk Cemetery
Mitchell, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5310900, -96.7712200

7. Hochstadt North Cemetery
Hochstadt, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.4525200, -96.8491100

8. Hochstadt South Cemetery
Hochstadt, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.4510200, -96.8495100

9. Mitchell Memorial Gardens
Mitchell, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5339200, -96.7694000

10. Evangelical Lutheran Brethren Church Cemetery
Mitchell, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5255970, -96.7672200

11. Rosengard CMC Cemetery
Rosengard, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.4739920, -96.7735030

12. South Osterwick Cemetery
New Bothwell, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5911170, -96.9269670

13. Reinland Mennonite Church Cemetery
Grunthal, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.4365680, -96.8700260

14. Bergthal Chortitzer Mennonite Cemetery
Blumenort, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5741870, -96.7740270

15. Silberfeld CMC Cemetery
Hanover, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.6080890, -96.8449120

16. Schoensee Cemetery
Hanover, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.4300360, -96.8316010

17. Osterwick Giesbrecht Cemetery
New Bothwell, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.6058830, -96.9229170

18. Christian Gospel Faith Church Cemetery
Mitchell, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.4753910, -96.7337900

19. Hochfeld CMC Cemetery
Hanover, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5918670, -96.7675670

20. Blumengard Cemetery
Hanover, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.6067480, -96.7984270

21. Old Silberfeld Cemetery
New Bothwell, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.6206035, -96.8527183

22. Saint Pierre-Jolys Roman Catholic Old Cemetery
Saint-Pierre-Jolys, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.4412210, -96.9859390

23. Saint-Pierre-Jolys Roman Catholic New Cemetery
Saint-Pierre-Jolys, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.4404450, -96.9921190

24. Grunthal Cemetery
Grunthal, Steinbach Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 49.4085580, -96.8655650