TOEWS
Walter U. Toews, our caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather was born October 14, 1917. After living 93 full years, his life came to a close peacefully in the evening of August 29, 2011, at the Linden Nursing Home, Linden, Alberta. Dad was surrounded by family, and he enjoyed the visiting and singing during his last days. Dad was the sixth of eight children born to Henry L. and Katie Unruh Toews, born and grew up near Sunnyslope, attending the local country schools. He appreciated going to church and Sunday school with his family and enjoyed singing with them. He accepted Jesus as his personal saviour at the age of fourteen and was baptized, becoming a member of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. He embraced this faith all his life and considered his service to God a privilege. Dad spent three and a half years during World War II as a Conscientious Objector which took him to Jasper, AB, and Vancouver Island, BC. Through the years Dad and Mom were involved with summer vacation Bible school and disaster relief projects. It was precious to Dad how God impressed him who should be his life's companion. He married our mother Lydia Megli, April 16, 1944 and wrote in his diary that this was, "The day when life began." For eight months after their wedding he still served as a CO working for a farmer, but they were able to enjoy weekends together. They were blessed with eleven children; fifty grandchildren; forty-seven great-grandchildren, and welcomed everyone who married into the family, over the 67 years they shared together. Dad and Mom made their home and farmed at different places; Sunnyslope, Rocky Mountain House, Linden and Stettler, moving to Linden for retirement in 1995. He was a dedicated husband and father, providing well for his family. He often gathered us in the evening to read Bible Stories and sing hymns. His prayers were inspiring to us, even in his old age. Dad's concern was that we would all be faithful to God. Those left to cherish memories are his wife, Lydia, and children: Earl Toews, Linden; Marilyn and Delbert Ensz, Bow Island; Janice and Gerald Unruh, Bonners Ferry, ID; George and Rosanna Toews, Stettler; Cecil and Helen Toews, Bow Island; Anita and Leonard Toews, Linden; Grace and David Unruh, Stettler; Merv and Wanda Toews, Stettler; Lorne and Myra Toews, Beaverlodge; Wayne and Sharon Toews, Stettler; Connie and Ray Unruh, Stettler. Also remaining are sisters Lottie Wiebe and Olive and Paul Baerg and sisters-in-law Agnes Toews and Verda Toews. Dad was predeceased by: his parents, four brothers, one sister, three grand-sons, two grandsons-in-law. We as the family wish to express sincere thanks to Dad's caregivers. Funeral services were held Saturday, September 4, 2011, at Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Sunnyslope Congregation, Linden, AB, with interment in Linden Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to: condolences@sunsetltd.ca
Arrangements in care of
SUNSET FUNERAL SERVICE
Linden, 403-546-3903.