Abe Toews

Abe Toews, 81, of Walhalla, passed away on October 31, 2022, after a long battle with cancer and renal failure, at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks, ND.  Funeral service will be held Friday, November 11, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Assembly of God Church in Walhalla, ND. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.

Abe was born May 26, 1941, to Aganetha (Goertzen) and Jacob Toews of Altona, Manitoba. He grew up in the middle of a loving, hardworking, and faithful Mennonite family along with his 12 brothers and sisters. Working on the farm, being surrounded by family, and studying his Bible became an integral part of who he was. 

On October 6th, 1967, Abe married Ellen (Goulet) Toews and together they raised four kids here in Walhalla: Sheila, James, Darla & Jonathan. During his lifetime he spent most days farming or trucking, which is when he said he always felt the best. When he was home, he enjoyed spending time with his family, cooking, watching wrestling, and studying his Bible. 

Abe would say that he worked hard his whole life and had a good family, thanks be to God. His health issues started several years ago, but with the help of his family and some wonderful friends, Joe Mostad, Lance Jerome, & Tom Cook, he was able to stay independent. He was very proud to be able to continue working, driving himself to treatment and then going to work at Johnson Farms. This wouldn’t have been possible without Al and Sam Johnson, Duane Cluchie, Kip Jonasson, and several others, who accommodated his health restrictions. He was proud to say he had logged seven million miles during his career, and he stopped counting two years ago! When he wasn’t working, he was writing a book, which he was very excited about. He was very generous with his knowledge and acted as a mentor to those who needed guidance. 

He is preceded in death by his wife, Ellen, parents and siblings, Annie Bergen, Henry Toews, Trudy Toews, and Nettie Wheeler. He is survived by his siblings: Helen Wiebe, Elizabeth Brown, Maria Nord, Susan Dueck, Sarah Thiessen, Esther Ginter, Jake Toews, and Ben Toews, and his children: Sheila Forrey, James (Cathy) Jerome, Darla (Shawn) Jerome, and Jonathan Toews, and also his grandchildren: Jeff (Kim) Jerome, Suzanne (Jeff) Johnsen, Kasandra (Charles) Forrey, Robert (Alexa) Ducioame, Jesse (Laenee) Jerome, Nikki (Eric) Burt, Christopher (Emily) Storey, Brady (Jackie) Jerome, Jacob (Yancy) Toews, Piper and Gavyn Toews, and also his 21 great-grandchildren.