Death Notices

TOEWS, Anne – escaped the bonds of earth and into the presence of Jesus Christ her Saviour on Saturday, October 29th, 2022 in her 91st year.  She leaves Abe, her husband of 66 years to grieve her passing.  She is predeceased by her parents, the late Jacob & Helena Klassen.  Loving mother of Beverly Enns (Art) of St. Catharines, Barbara Reynolds (Peter) of Oxford Centre and Harry Toews (Rosemary) of Huntsville.  Cherished grandmother & great grandmother of Paul (Sara), children Madison, Johnathan, Elizabeth, Isiah & Joel;  Jason (Kathleen), children Elliott & Ava;  Steven (Chasity), their children Landon & Anaya;  Mark (Christina), son Noah;  Andrew;  Benjamin (Rachel), daughter Claire-Elizabeth;  David (fiancée Tanna);  Edward;  and Maria.  Anne will be lovingly remembered by her siblings Martha Morgan (Richard), John Klassen (Alita) and Tom Klassen (Lydia) and by her sisiter-in-law Sadie Klassen.  Predeceased by siblings Mary Petkau, Helen Friesen, Jacob, Henry, Nick, Peter, Herman, Edward & Walter Klassen.  Anne was born on September 5th, 1932 in southern Manitoba where her parents had a farm.  After several moves eastward, her parents bought a farm west of Port Rowan.  Here she grew up, attended Erie View Public School, helped with chores, helped in the kitchen and went to church and Sunday school.  Their church would have Deeper Life Conferences where the gospel was clearly presented.  Anne realized that upon hearing the messages, that she would not go to heaven if she died.  She went to her mother for help.  Her mother explained John 3:16 to her and Anne prayed to trust Christ.  She was baptized when she was 17 years old.  She was always active in youth activities.  That fall she enrolled in bible school in Virgil, ON.  After two years, the campus moved to Kitchener and she decided to enroll in Winkler Bible Institute.  Here she served as “dean of women” along with her studies.  Here she met her future husband Abe Toews.  Upon graduation she came home to Port Rowan to work in various positions.  She and Abe were married on June 9th, 1956 and began a wonderful life together.  She was involved in their church as chairwomen of the Mission Serving Circle.  Later she served as chairwomen of the local Home & School Association.  God blessed their marriage with three beautiful children.  When all the children were enrolled in school, Anne went back to school to complete her RPN training.  She enjoyed her work as a practical nurse.  She was a wonderful homemaker.  Everything was always ship shape, her meals were delicious.  She took great interest in her children, grandchildren & great grandchildren.  In the summer of 2017 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  She was able to be at home with visits from PSW’s to help with certain activities.  In early 2020 she was admitted to the hospital with some medical conditions which needed to be stabilized.  In April 2020 she moved to the Norfolk Hospital Nursing Home where she received excellent care.  Over time she slowly began to deteriorate.  In the last three weeks she experienced marked deterioration.  She passed on Saturday morning.  Friends are invited to share their memories of Anne with her family at the JASON SMITH FUNERAL CHAPEL, 689 Norfolk St. North Simcoe for visitation on Thursday, November 3rd, 2022 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m.  Anne’s homegoing service will be held from Emmanuel Bible Church, 24 Churchill Circle, Simcoe on Friday morning at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Raymond Thompson officiating.  Interment:  Fairview Cemetery, Port Rowan at 2:30 p.m.  Those wishing to donate in memory of Anne are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Society of H-N or Emmanuel Bible Church.  Personal online condolences at www.smithfuneralchapel.com  (519) 426-0199