Mr. Abram Abe Toews

Abram Toews was born to loving Christian parents, Isaac & Katherine Toews, who were living in Watrous, Saskatchewan. The family moved to BC while he was in his teens, where he continued his schooling from the 8th grade on, including 3 years of Bible school. Abe & Alma’s love story began when he spotted Alma barefoot in a strawberry patch. He dearly loved Alma, his wife of 54 years. Making her happy made him happy. Nothing pleased him more than to hear of the growth and accomplishments of his five children and their children. His gentle humor surfaced on a daily basis. There was always a new way to say a word or sentence, and he extracted all possible fun from every situation. Dad would laugh at his own witticisms and then you would hear Mom join in. He especially loved to make Mom laugh.

Dad was a highly-motivated salesman – beginning as a boy with sales of produce from the family farm – to selling Fuller Brush and Electrolux. Even in retirement, he used his door-to-door skills to canvass neighboring towns for his perpetual walk-a-thon.

He lowered the mortgage balance of his present church by $30,000. He loved to buy and sell property, and at one time, owned more than 20 lots in Prince George. He loved the north country, and read extensively about living the pioneer life.

He loved his God, and lived to please Him. He spent endless hours in his favorite chair with the Bible open in his lap, and the Strong’s Concordance close by. His faith in God intensified when he prayed for Jon and God instantly healed him of whooping cough. Dad’s desire to walk closer to God became his highest priority and he began to read the Bible incessantly. The family spent most Friday nights around the Bible – reading, singing and studying. Then Dad began to read the book of Acts, and realized that the Holy Ghost was still being poured out. This began a new direction for him. Dad’s testimonies always presented a unique thought in which he marveled at God’s unfathomable love for him. His love for the truths in God’s Word inspired him to share what he learned and he began to write. His book is available at the service or via email ([email protected]).

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MY TRIBUTE TO MY BROTHER ABE by Kathy Toews

Abe was my brother who was just 16 months younger than me. I have wonderful childhood memories of playing together outdoors on the farm, especially practicing our ball throwing and catching skills. Then growing up into our early teens there was a lot of work to be done on the farm and we did much of it together; cleaning out the stalls, feeding the cattle, bringing them to pasture and at one point even fighting a raging grass fire. We were a good team and enjoyed working together and sometimes teasing and playing practical jokes on each other. And perhaps several summers of selling farm produce at the local beach resort served as a training ground for Abe’s later success as a door to door salesman up north or his love of landscaping in Victoria, which he acquired through door to door soliciting. He enjoyed working the soil and after retirement did gardening at their apartment and for their church. He had pleasure in showing me how the plants and flowers were doing. At one point he said, “Sometimes when I garden I ask God to teach me a lesson, and before long the lesson is there,”.

The relationship we formed as children lasted throughout the years. He married my friend Alma with whom I lived during our Normal School years. And Alma has been a wonderful spouse to him. My father at one point said, “Abe’s wife is made of gold.”And she has proven that throughout their lives together.

Abe had a serious concern for the spiritual welfare of his children and grandchildren. Several times in the last years he mentioned to us as siblings, the spiritual progress he was witnessing in his grandchildren. Precious to me is the booklet he had made up, in which he wrote of his own search for a deeper relationship with Jesus and how his prayer was answered in a more meaningful experience with Christ.

I loved my brother dearly and I will miss him and the friendly banter we had when together. A special thank you to you, Alma, for being such a wonderful wife to our brother. In his last years, because of his many medical problems and numerous appointments, Alma’s sister, Ruth Thiessen, and Abe’s pastor couple, Danny and Corenna Rideout, have been a real help, driving him time after time and no doubt waiting patiently where it was often necessary. A big thank you from us as Abe’s siblings for your selfless service. Thank you! Thank you!

Abe, I will miss you. You encouraged me with your cheerfulness every time I visited you in the last months, never a complaint. But I know you are in a much better place, enjoying being in the presence of Jesus your Saviour. We will meet you there.

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Memories of my brother Abe

My memories of Abe are his humour and love of life. For example, to impress his big sister with, "Look what I can do", he rode on two horses at the same time, standing up and placing one foot on each ribbed, bony spine. Fortunately, those animals complied.

Abe loved the outdoors. The rugged life in the cold north really appealed to him. Living there was a real challenge.

Of course, hockey was a favourite sport. The brothers made their own ice rink by flooding a hollow in the landscape. When frozen over it made for many hours of fun.

His generousity was evident especially to the church.

~ Helen Giesbrecht, Sister

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Abe loved music but couldn't sing by himself very well. However, he was always the first to say "let's sing."

He showed real courage, especially in times of crisis. For example, when haying, the hay fork would take a forkful from the hay rack up to the peak of the barn, under the roof, take it along the rail and deposit the load in the hayloft. Once on the return of the empty fork, it became tangled and wouldn't come down..Somehow we managed to get a rope over the rail. Abe prepared a loop with the rope, and without any hesitation, "sat" in it, was pulled up to the roof where he untangled the fork, and came down safely. That took courage.

Having purchased a farm on Vye Rd, and not being well to do the parents needed money. On Abe's suggestion I went to Vancouver, found work and was able to help with the finances.

He enjoyed table games. On one of my visits we played Scrabble. Losing the game did not dampen the enjoyment of the game.

After my move from Winnipeg to Abbotsford in 2009, Abe took me sightseeing on a tour of Abbotsford, and the lower Fraser Valley where our family had lived. While crossing a railway track Abe pretended the car couldn't make it, (another of his practical jokes) .Alma laughed, and we crossed over safely. I also enjoyed the walk around Mill Lake.

During his lengthy stay in the hospital Abe did not develop bed sores.which are relieved by daily massaging. I like to think that God's hand was under him, hence no sores.

~ Ferd Toews, brother

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I really loved my big brother Abe. He had a terrific and a curiosity type of sense of humour. - if that makes sense. I loved his jokes and storytelling. He had a special way of seeing things and expressing. it.

He was adventuresome and very original. When I was a young child, he took me out in the snow to check the traps he had set - I believe for rabbits.

He also was the one to buy me my first milkshake, sitting on the bar stools at the LITTLE MOUNTAIN DAIRY in Abbotsford. It's something I will always treasure.

He kept his sense of humour -and love of life and people, to the end.

~ Lydia Toews, sister

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We always enjoyed Abe's love for life and tremendous determination. His determination was evidenced in his work projects, his interest and love for the Lord, and his church. His sense of humour and familiarity with the Canucks added spice to our relationship with him. Abe - we love you!!

Art & Elsie (sister) Willms

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Thank you, Bonny, for keeping us informed about your dad. I have many fond memories of your dad...some very early ones when he came around as Fuller Brush man to our house on Corbould - i remember his cheer, his interest in us as kids, his jokes and, i think, climbing into a truck? I also remember visiting your family in Vanderhoof when I lived in Prince George...i stayed overnight a few times and enjoyed your hospitality and being aware of the love you all shared for one another.

Take care. I trust that this will be a 'holy time' for you all; a time where the curtain between this life and the next is drawn a bit more than usual.

Love,

Vangie

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Rose passed on the message about your father. This is a hard time for families. When my father was dying, we became closer as siblings so there was something good as well - one way God was present. In any case, will be thinking of you and your family and praying for you.

Love,

Vangie (cousin)

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I just wanted to let you know that Aunt Kathy has been faithful to pass your email along with updates of your dad.

I have appreciated having several opportunities to see your dad (and mom) these past months and am praying for

them and all of you. May the Lord's grace be upon you all as you stand by your dad to his journey's end here on earth.

Love you all, Rose :)

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Thanks so much for keep us posted on Uncle Abe. Our hearts & prayers are with you during this difficult time. Give your Mom & Dad a kiss from us. Wish we were closer.

Our family memories are tucked deep away in our hearts - our impression of your Dad - always laughing, caring & kind. We are so blessed to have such a fun, loving uncle! Thank you for sharing your Dad with us. Our family circle is getting tighter as age comes upon each of us, but also knowing that children are coming up behind us - bearing witness that "our family quiver" is full and blessed by God.

FYI: During the time that Laura and I were dealing with Dad R. we constantly talked to him even after he slipped into a coma. Once the coma happened, we encouraged Dad "Jesus was calling him - go home" and we constantly reassured him that we would look after Mom. Touching and kissing went on right to the end. Voice recognition and heart are the last vital to stop.

Rest in His Care,

Love to you all,

Chris, David, Jonathan, Kathryne

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Laura here, I will see you all after work today. Your dad is going to prepare a place for you and the family. God is always there you just have to call upon him.

Love Laura Rempel

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Bonny and family,

I am there to support, comfort, love and give a few suggestions every now and again. Oh ya and don't forget the laughs we can all share. It makes the day a little more cheerful and a smile goes a long way in conditions like this.

You all are in all our prayers and will continue to be til the Lord calls your dad home. I start evenings again tomorrow but I will try and come up before my shift. Until then look after yourselves and remember you all need time to be along as well. As hard as that is at a time like this. Spend time with your Mum away from the room and take short walks outside. Fresh air is good for the soul.

Love you all

Laura Rempel (LPN)

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FOND MEMORIES OF ABRAM TOEWS

Have you ever seen how a pea plant grows? I mean the kind that you have to plant near some sort of fence because they grow so tall that if they don't have something to support them they just fall right over. We always try our best to plant our peas as close to the fence as possible so they won't have to reach so far. Funny enough those peas pop out of the ground leaning in all sorts of different directions. Some of the ones that seem well on their way to the fence one day, take a turn away from the fence the next day. One thing is for sure, if they don't make it to the fence they'll eventually fall over, get stepped on and die. You've probably noticed the amazing little tendrils the plants put out. Once they attach to the fence, or another plant it's extremely hard to remove them. The tendrils wrap around so many times that they usually break when you try to remove them. Sometimes a plant will attach itself to another plant instead of the fence. Unfortunately, if several plants do that they can end up pulling that plant to the ground. The opposite can happen as well. If a plant is very well attached to the fence it can actually succeed in holding up a bunch of other plants. This year my boys went out one day “to save” the pea plants. Pea plants are very fragile so they were trying to be gentil. They attempted to manually attach the tendrils to the fence. Some stayed and some didn't.

I will really miss hearing about pea vines, how little flowers attach to their stems, how roots reach down into the ground and all the other millions of wonderful little things that Abe not only noticed but took such delight in. For him, creation was truly a proclamation of God's glory. To me, and maybe to you, Abe was somewhat like one of those pea plants growing close to the fence. It wasn't by accident that Abe had such a close relationship with the Lord. Abe leaned towards God every chance he got. It was his habit.

Abe and Alma also had the habit of reaching out to those people God planted near them. I first met Abe and Alma shortly after I moved to Victoria. I rented an apartment from them and was promptly invited to the Bible study they had in their home. A new believer, I had been asking God for a Bible study to attend. I did not have a vehicle and did not feel comfortable riding public transport at night by myself. Abe and Alma were God's gift to me. I was happily surprised that the Lord provided a Bible study that I could go to in my slippers. I was more amazed at the two very special people He seemed to drop into my life so easily. I was a new plant that they drew towards the fence. Abe and Alma never wanted me to hang on to them, only to Jesus. There were three other people that attended the Bible study and suddenly they all had something else to do on that nignt. I had Abe and Alma all to myself for a full year. At that time I got married and happily shared them with my husband Darryl. Abe and Alma cared for us much like parents would. Abe found Darryl several jobs doing yard work and he found a second hand Electrolux vacuum cleaner for me, which I am still using! We continued meeting for another year and have such fond memories of being in their home.

Darryl and I then moved up to Smithers where I grew up. I bet Abe secretly started planning their first visit the day we left town. Abe and Alma had lived in the Prince George / Vanderhoof area and I think Abe couldn't wait to revisit his old stomping ground. We felt totally honoured to be included in their touring plans. Of that visit I remember Abe being completely happy eating oatmeal every morning for breakfast and going for long walks down our country road. Darryl remembers coming home from work one day quite shocked to see Abe outside cutting firewood with his chainsaw. Darryl had mentioned to Abe the day before that the saw wasn't cutting straight and that he had tried to resharpen the blade to no avail. Abe took it upon himself that next afternoon to go out and resharpen the blade. Of course he had to try it out to see if it had made a difference. It had!!!!!! Well, how could he not cut just a little firewood for old times sake? I know he enjoyed himself but he did come in for supper admitting to slight headache. Our first son, Josiah, was 6 months old during this visit and spent much of that week in either Abe or Alma's arms.

Two years later, in the fall of 2001, Abe and Alma came again. We were still living in the country but in a different area. Josiah was 2 ½ years old and Jesse was 6 months. One day we drove to Driftwood Canyon. We parked at the picnic area and had a short, meandering walk on a trail through the woods to the fossil beds. As we were walking down the trail, we heard the chatter of squirrels up in the trees. They were very lively and a lot of fun to watch. One of the squirrels dropped out of the tree onto the ground right close to our feet. That was a bit surprising and very funny. It then ran back up the tree. Soon both the squirrels were doing it and we were all laughing quite hard. Suddenly, one of those crazy squirrels landed right on Alma's shoulder, ran down her arm, jumped to the ground and raced back up the tree. Unbelievable!!!! Of course none of us thought it would happen again. We were wrong!!!! Those two squirrels must have landed on Alma's shoulder, ran, jumped and raced back to the tree at least 6 times. We kept thinking they would land on someone else but Alma was obviously the chosen one. We were all laughing so hard we could barely breath! The squirrel then jumped off Alma's arm and hesitated before going back to the tree. Alma was wearing a skirt and none of us wanted to see that squirrel run up Alma's leg instead of the tree, especially Alma. I remember her saying, “These squirrels are getting a little too friendly, I think we'd better move along!” On the walk back to the car we all wondered if the squirrels would still be there. Much to Alma's relief, they weren't. We laughed all the way home.

In the spring of 2002, our son Josiah became deathly ill and we spent some time at the Children's Hospital in Vancouver. It was a beautiful, blue sky day when Abe and Alma made the long, crazy drive to come and see us. Josiah was doing a lot better and we were able to go for a long walk. We looked at old houses, big old trees and even had an ice cream cone. In the midst of the most terrifying and heart-wrenching time in our lives, Abe and Alma's friendship was close and comforting. They came to share our burden and their encouragement was a treasure to us.

During one of my last conversations with Abe I was able to tell him that we named our 6th son, Levi Abram, after him. Abe thought that was great. He also said he'd “rather be vertical than horizontal”. I told him he'd soon have his new body and he'd be walkin' through God's garden. I could see him smiling when he answered me saying, “ Trish, I'll be up there chasin' squirrels!!!” I believe it!!

Abe was a man who lived a simple, quiet life. During his visits to us in Smithers, I clearly remember him going for walks by himself every day. He would excuse himself politely and sneak off to a quiet place to be alone with his God. The twinkle in his eye was renewed again and again and it was something Abe never lost. With every tendril Abe had, he reached out and wrapped around the fence. He clung to Jesus with all his strength because he knew his life depended on it. So does ours. I know, without a doubt, that it was Abe's simple hope and the deepest desire of his heart that all those he knew and loved, especially his cherished children and many grandchildren, would love and trust Jesus with all their hearts and find their way back to God through His loving sacrifice.

~Trish Hunter, (& Darryl) (friends)

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Thinking of you and your family! I have some wonderful memories of your Dad! The last time I spoke to him he told me such great stories of some of your trips through the Pine Pass to rallies in Dawson Creek all those years ago. I was blessed to know him!

~Norma McCoy Wilson, friend, Dawson Creek, BC

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Oh my dearest Bonny! I am so sorry for the passing of your father... My heart is so heavy for you at your loss. Losing a father is so painful, I know from experience. My heart goes out to you and the rest of your beautiful family...

Love and prayers for you and yours in this time of sorrow.

~Howard Bassett, friend, Dawson Creek, BC

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My husband joins me in sending our condolences....Bro Toews was the definition of the word "Christian". I too wonder if the Ens family would have made the UPC change to without all the bible studies that lasted way into the night with the Toews..the group that thrust Prince George into revival!! And Nanaimo church has many fond memories of him! Victoria, Vanderhoof, and Abbotsford....Bro Toews was a pillar.

~Ron & LaCinda Ens

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Brenda, So sorry to hear of the loss of your father. We know he was a great man b/c you can see it in his wonderful children. We are holding you all up in prayer and sending hugs. Love you!

~Eva Chase

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Hi Brenda So sorry to hear about your Dad but Heaven is rejoicing. He was such an awesome Godly man. I loved seeing them and talking to them when they made the trip here to see you and Jon. We are both in our prayers. We love and appreciate you guys so much.

~Ruth VonHutten

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Praying for you all. I'm so sorry about the loss of your father. He was a wonderful man. I'm glad he is no longer suffering, but I know this is a difficult time for your family. Love you guys.

~Angela Kelly

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Brenda, our love and prayers are with you at this time. Take comfort in knowing you are loved. This is a sad time for the family, but also a time of rejoicing knowing that your Dad is in a better place. He has accomplished what he has lived his whole life for!

~Bertta Moore

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This feeling of grief; the knowing he is gone and missing him so terribly…

My gentle farmer…you left us on the 8th of September, as quiet and peaceful as you had always lived. There was a twinkling north-star in those eyes - you know, the kind that guides you home?

And never without mischief. That practical joke with your false teeth frightening me so I jump off the bed. I think of those moments, laughing and crying all at once.

I am always thinking now of what I could’ve said. Dreaming that angels would wrap my words and the unutterable feelings of my heart with cheery bows and bring them to you now. How priceless you have been…

Like how you were sweeter than a thousand sugar cubes. Someone more gentle I could not find! Or how your life so fragrant an offering that without words you lead us to our Lord. I know you were always showing us grace; bowing before the throne seeking to know and wanting for us to know…to truly know…

So devout and kind and strong. I am wrecked to say goodbye, it will always be too soon.

~Lauren Villines

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Tribute written and read by Jonathan Toews at the memorial service:

Thank you so much, all of you, for coming today to honor the life and memory of my dad, Abram Toews. His life has made an impact on many lives, as shown by all of you being here today. Thanks from our family to you:

• Welcome to all the extended friends and acquaintances from many years he and mom spent here in the Abbotsford area and the Fraser Valley, people of Godly Mennonite heritage who knew him back to the 40s and 50s, 60s and 70s, people he knew through family connections, church fellowship, business contacts, we’re glad you’re here today, thanks for coming.

• Welcome to all the extended family members here, both from his side and from mom’s side. Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, it’s always good to have family close by, family is truly the foundation of who we are.

• It is so good to have the saints of New Life Church here, and my mom & dad’s pastor, Bro & Sis Danny Rideout. One of the steady and stable characteristics of my parents’ life is their love and support for their pastor. In all my years in our home, I have never heard Dad or Mom speak one ill word of their pastor. Their example speaks volumes to us who are here today.

• Other guests…

I am Jonathan David, Abe and Alma’s only son, and the youngest of five. My mother is here today, love her very much. She has been instrumental in my life. My sisters Brenda, Heather, Marion and Bonny are here today, with their children. It’s also very good to be with them today, love them very much. Early on in our family, Dad wanted 12 sons so he would have his own farming crew. After four girls, I can see why they desperately wanted a boy. But I still not sure why he didn’t have 11 more boys. I tease my sisters by telling them that if Mom had born me first, they would have stopped having kids.

My dad was the kindest, meekest, most humble man I’ve ever met. Being now the dad of three children of my own, I am all the more astonished at the steady patience,the gentle spirit, the Christian example he showed throughout my growing up. He personified characteristics that we all look up to: faithful, loving, patient, high priority & love for God, high priority & love for family, his church, his pastor, the work of God.

You can tell a lot about a man by the things he loves. It shows what’s in their heart, what’s important to them, what makes up their character, what motivates them to say the things they say, to do the things they do. It’s where he spent his time, his money, his energy, his enthusiasm. He had a profound impact on my life, who I am as a person, an impact that was borne out of the things he loved. I would not be half the person I am today without the Godly impact of my dad.

He was a low-profile man of integrity and character.

• He never was the CEO of a company, his name was not in the newspaper or on the radio, he never joined the inspirational speaking circuit or the bestsellers’ authors list.

o But he was a leader in my life, he set an example that was very clear and positive. He was a trailblazer in our lives. He lived the Godly lifestyle in front of his family, it is something I will never forget.

• He never recorded a music album, he didn’t play a musical instrument. Some of us in the family played the piano, or the clarinet, or the flute. Dad was content to play the radio.

o He and mom encouraged us in all our musical endeavors, and watched with pride whenever we performed, and encouraged us in our musical development.

• He never made a lot of money, he did not put much value on a lot of material things. If you know him and Mom, material things just never were all that important to them.

o But he made sure we had everything we needed, plus extra things every now and again.

• He and Mom didn’t travel the world in five-star style. Dad would have loved to visit Alaska, the great white north, the arctic, places of adventure.

o They took trips to Vancouver Island, Oregon, Arkansas, Kansas, Colorado, Ohio … invariably, they were trips to visit their kids & grandkids.

• Dad never went to university, never had a college degree.

o But he taught me more than I could have ever learned at any institution of higher learning. He taught us what was really important, what really mattered – faith and family.

It was the things he loved that made such an impact on my life. We all were impacted by his life; we are impacted by the things he loved, not by the things he had. He set a great example by the things he loved:

• His love for his wife & family.

o His life was wrapped up in his wife, his family, his children & grandchildren. He lived the principle of the value of time with family, and delighted in spending time with us, eating together, visiting, playing games, playing pranks, laughing, telling stories & jokes. Many a time we have experienced his love for plays on words.

o One of the few times we went camping, at Rose Lake in early 1970s with Donald, a family friend. Due to Donald’s car trouble, the cars spent the night separated. The problem arose when we realized our resources were strategically split. If they had the tent, we had the pegs. If we had the food, they had the dishes. If they had the blankets, we had the pillows.

o Dad teaching us to skate, to ride our bikes.

o Going snow-sliding down Carney Hill in Prince George.

o Picking blueberries out in the woods.

o Weekly trips to the library.

o Many trips to the Lake for fun in the water. One time near Vanderhoof, all of us kids were playing in the water. He charged into the water fully dressed, shoes, wallet and glasses included. By the time he stopped, he had lost his glasses in the water. The bottom of the lake was too cloudy to even bother looking. We went back the next day and found them.

o Driving all night from Vanderhoof to the Okanagan to fill up a trailer with fruit for fall canning, and eating fresh fruit all the way home.

o Playing crokinole. It was very hard to beat him.

o A part of life was ice cream. Growing up, we often had ice cream and jello for dessert.

• He had a love for humor and practical pranks. The twinkle was never very far from his eye. He always found it easy to smile and laugh. Even in the hospice in recent weeks, he was cracking jokes and making plays on words.

o He and I would often take our golf putters to Beacon Hill Park in Victoria, where they put an 18-hole putting course. He and I played many games there, we were pretty evenly matched. On occasion he would take the flag from one hole, and swap it with the flag from the another hole, and then laugh mischievously when the next poor golfer tried to figure out where his shot was supposed to go.

o When Dave asked to marry Brenda, he asked over the phone if he could have her hand in marriage. Dad replied, “Yes, but only her hand.”

o He had a sharp ear for puns and plays on words, and to this day our families get endless enjoyment and entertainment out of this sort of humor. “Fill up and be tankful”, “drink goats milk – feel like a kid again” were two of his common ones.

• He loved farming & gardening. The evidence of his green thumb was apparent in each place where he maintained garden displays. Having grown up on the farm in Saskatchewan and BC, it was a favorite pastime of his to reminisce, to talk about the farm days, to talk of his horse Prince.

o For four short years in the 1970s, we owned a farm just outside Vanderhoof. We usually had about a dozen cows, including the occasional milk cow. He loved living on the farm, having animals and a garden close by.

o Shortly after moving to the farm, we burned down the old outhouse. He and a friend spent several hours like 10-year-old boys, putting gasoline inside the door, getting the flames to leap as high as possible.

o We also cleared several acres, and allowed the timber to dry for a year or so. Then it was time to light the fire. Dad strategically placed tires and gasoline all around this 50-foot-long pile, then lit it. It burned for several days.

o He maintained gardens beautifully. He had a few paid jobs in Victoria, but also kept the flowers for their church here in Abbotsford until he was no longer able to do it.

• He loved the north country. It would bring a twinkle to his eye, just to talk about Alaska, the Yukon, northern British Columbia, snow country, adventures in the B.C. wilderness, etc. Having lived in the snow country of the Prince George area for most of the 60’s and 70’s, he knew well what it was like to live with snow.

o Dad loved the rugged beauty of the central B.C. area, and was fascinated in his later years by adventure books about how early pioneers settled the Chilcotin area, the area north and west of Kelowna, Prince George and so on. He was always ready with a story or two of their discoveries and mishaps.

o His would love to have worked in an arctic weather reporting station.

• His love for people; his character and kindness are well-known.

o He was the kindest, meekest, most humble man. He truly had a gentle spirit. He would calm a fussy baby with his gentle way. He personified quiet strength, a meek and quiet spirit.

o We once had a ’66 Chevy pickup. It caught fire and was undriveable, so he paid some guy several hundred dollars to convert the truck’s box to a trailer. After getting the trailer back, we later found the charred frame of the truck at the local dump, stripped clean of all valuable parts. That guy had ripped Dad off. Dad was stunned, hardly believing the man would take him like that. To my knowledge, Dad never even called him to pursue a resolution, he just turned the other cheek.

• He loved his church and his pastor.

o He and mom lived here in Abbotsford since 1997. In an effort to raise money to pay off the Abbotsford church mortgage, he went door-to-door, gathering sponsors for his fundraising. Then he would do a one-man walkathon. In those few short years, he single-handedly raised over $30,000 for the building fund of his local church in Abbotsford. In August, their church was able to burn their mortgage. I’m so happy to say that my dad had a significant role in paying off that church mortgage. August 14, Sis Rideout and two of their saints came to the hospice where Dad was, and made a way for Dad to light a candle. They preserved that flame until they were able to get to the church service, and used that candle to burn the church’s mortgage.

o He was also instrumental in his financial generosity to churches in Prince George, Vanderhoof, Nanaimo and Victoria.

• His undisguised passion for his God and his Bible.

o It was obvious to us in his home that Dad had a deep and abiding relationship with God. He never flaunted his walk with God, he never preached at us, never bragged about his spiritual walk. In fact, you’d have to ask some pretty pointed questions to get him to talk openly about it.

o Countless times through the years in our home, I recall entering the room where Dad was, and see him sitting in his chair with his Bible open on his lap, reading. It was something he truly loved to do. He usually had several well-used Bible reference books close by, a Strong’s Concordance, a Bible dictionary, and so on. He knew these books well from regular use.

o Dad was raised in a Godly home, in a Godly family. I’m very thankful for the Godly heritage of my parents and grandparents and their family! It made an indelible impression on him. Early in his youth, the word of God came alive to him; it changed his life. His love for the word of God lasted right to the end.

I’d like to close by reading a passage that was a key theme in their lives, Proverbs 3:5-10:

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Dad, your love for God and your love for your family changed my life, changed our lives for the better. You set an example of quiet leadership in my life, an example of character and integrity and kindness and gentleness. You will always be my dad. I love you very much, miss you very much and I will never forget you.

__________

Written by Heather (Toews) Scott

When I was about five, a man came to visit us. I was shocked to see he was taller than Dad, because Dad was of course the tallest man in the world.

Remember:

- The family drives on New Year’s Day. Sometimes Mom stayed home and had a day off.

- “Fill up and be tankful”

- When Dad tells time—he automatically adjusts the “real” time to the situation—if you need to leave at 8:30, and it’s 8:05, then he says it’s nearly 8:30

- Always noticing when the days were getting longer or shorter

- “Do you want that door closed or shut?”

- The camping trip with Doug and Donald, when they had the tent, we had the pegs; they had the food, we had the dishes; and we got separated

- “O really? O’Riley?”

- Loved hard physical work

- The many slides down Carney Hill in Prince George

- The swing sets Dad built at every house until we were in our teens

- A motivated salesman—often had sold a vacuum cleaner while other salesmen were still hanging around the office

- When he came to a stop sign on an icy road in Prince George, he’d brake until the wheels were stopped, and if the car was still moving, he’d put it in reverse, and slow down that way. Never did find out if he ever hit a dry patch and raced backward into the car behind him

- The trip to Burns Lake where the ice cream choices were chocolate—and chocolate

- “Anything for the farmer”

- Dad was doing yard work at a house in Victoria that was at the corner of the block, where there was a red light. There were bushes shielding him from view of the passing cars. So when a convertible with the top down pulled up to the red light, with three girls in it, Dad rearranged the sprinkler so that it sprinkled right on the occupants of the car—and they couldn’t move until the light changed. Danny was there to witness this. A few construction workers on a nearby roof heard the screams, and got a big laugh out of it.

- Singing “The Bear went over the Mountain” to get us kids out of bed on Saturday mornings

- Always trying to extract a little enjoyment out of the situation

- So generous!

- Always making Mom laugh

- Each trip was planned so we could come back a different way if possible

- The drives up Connaught Hill in Prince George

- When he ran out of gas or got a flat tire, he just started looking to see how God was going to solve it

- Let me learn how to drive in a field by setting up a few hay bales, and handing me the keys

- Loving Church and living for God was just assumed. We didn’t have to ask.

- There was always a way made to attend youth conventions and such, and looking back, there probably wasn’t extra money, but they just made sure we could go

- Dad’s joke about swinging the seeing-eye dog: I’m just getting a good look around

- And wasn’t there a reverse version of that joke?

- The night a man got stuck in our ditch: I give you same treatment—NOTHING!

- Often asked me to play him something on the piano

- Never heard him tell a lie

- Never heard him yell in anger

- The trip to Portland with 7 of us in the car, and the floorboards sloshing with water

I remember one day in Vanderhoof. You had one pant leg tucked in, and one out. One cuff rolled up and one down. Yes, I’ll admit I noticed. I can’t remember where we went, but in minutes you had people laughing and relaxed. And I realized again that what’s on the inside is what made you what you were. And nobody noticed the cuffs or pant legs.

And in those last weeks, thank you for not giving up, but for living life to the fullest, even when it was difficult.

Dad, you’re still the tallest man in the world to me!

__________

written by Brenda (Toews) Moore

Thinking back over 50 plus years, my mind bounces over various scenes as the oldest daughter of Abram Toews.

In Prince George, Dad built swing sets out of telephone poles for us kids at two different homes, proving us with endless hours of playtime. Our childhood years were filled with happy memories of Mom at home, and Dad a milk man, and then a Fuller Brush man.

At eight years old I remember crying myself to sleep with ear aches. It was at this same time that I distinctly remember coming into the house after school numerous times and finding Dad in the middle of the living room with the open Living Bible in his hand and excitedly saying, “Alma, listen to this...” He discovered the verse in James that encouraged prayer for the sick. In the past he had prayed for Jon, who was instantly healed of whooping cough. I ended up with three surgeries on my ears and still the ear aches persisted. Years later, he told me that one night, after I fell asleep, he came in and prayed for me. I never had another ear ache. (I learned that there are very special treasures in that sacred Book, and that there’s a God that hears and answers our prayers.)

While Dad was a Fuller Brush salesman, I remember sitting in the back of the station wagon surrounded by boxes of Fuller Brush products and helping him with deliveries. He’d call out the product, which I’d hand forward, and he’d run the delivery to the customer’s door.

One summer when Heather and I were mid-teens, Dad had us each make an attempt at being Fuller Brush sales girls. Heather sold more than I, but neither of us fell in love with the idea of a sales career. (I learned that if you’re sold on a product, you’re much more likely to make a sale!)

As Dad would leave the customer’s home, he would generate many chuckles for us later by relating to us how he’d asked, “Would you like the door closed or shut?”

Later on, Dad began to sell Electrolux vacuum cleaners and shampooers. The sales didn’t come as easily as the smaller dollar items of Fuller Brush, but with Mom’s support, he persisted. The sales came steadily as Dad diligently spent every day knocking doors and demonstrating the wonders of his product. I remember helping him cut up the black squares of broadcloth that he used to insert into the wand of his machine so he could demonstrate how much dirt was still left in the customer’s “clean” carpet! (I learned that persistence pays).

Dad’s quiet demeanor and skillful & intuitive presentations soon brought him notable awards as he became one of the top three salesmen in Western Canada, winning a trip first to Hawaii, and then to Niagara Falls.

He loved long road trips, and would take most trips – whether to Vancouver to visit family or to Jasper/Banff - at night, as it would most likely ensure a quieter trip. On our way to Vancouver from Prince George along the Fraser River, we would always request to be awakened for the tunnels. We took at least a couple of trips to Jasper & Banff National Parks and explored their beauty from the back of our Volvo station wagon. Our motel was all five of us kids lined up horizontally in the back of the car. One time Dad found a place to park for the night and we awoke in the morning to discover that we’d slept in a cemetery! Discovering Athabasca Glacier (and rescuing Jon from the quicksand), Lake Louise, and Morraine Lake and the Valley of Ten Peaks…. Seeing moose, mountain goats, bears in the wild…One time Dad stopped on the side of the road as we drove through the Rockies and we observed a mother bear hurrying her three cubs up the opposite bank by spanking their bottoms.

Later the trips took him and one of us kids to the Okanogan valley so that he could fill up the station wagon with fruit. I remember trying to stay awake through the night while he drove by shelling peanuts for him.

Moving to Vanderhoof was a dream come true as he had the opportunity to relive his favorite childhood memories of growing up on a farm. He loved his cows, the fields, having a good dog, clearing underbrush, and of course, creating a number of large hot fires of underbrush!

He loved to buy and sell property and at one point, showed me the box full of his manila files – each one representing a piece of property that he owned. Even years after he stopped his real estate ventures, he still would intently note the properties for sale, and then in later years, would turn his energies into encouraging the business of paying the mortgage down – whether on a church or our home. He was always thrilled when a major contribution would lower the principle. At one time he owned the whole side of one country road outside of Prince George. He loved to drive out there and check out the five acre lots, and turned the car over to one of us, to allow driving practice on a road with no traffic.

While living in Prince George we encountered some experiences noted in the book of Acts that we discovered could be experienced by us as well. This opened up a new world to us in walking with God. We loved teaching, preaching, great music and being in God’s presence. Dad became a student of the Bible, spending many hours reading, reading other translations, and wearing out his Strong’s Concordance

with his studying. He loved nothing better than a good Bible discussion. In relaying to him a thought provoking message I’d just heard preached, I mentioned a small phrase of an obscure verse. He instantly named its location and revealed by his comments that he’d mulled that verse over before.

In his last year, I called every evening as a way to keep tabs on how he and Mom were faring. He did his best to prepare me for my role after his passing. When those details were done, we might discuss the current status of the Canucks in their season, or stories of the Chilcotin and BC North Country. I remember one night it was nearing 10 pm, and I knew he was ready to begin his evening routine and go to bed. As we were saying our goodbyes, in passing I mentioned some phrase from scripture, and instantly I heard the weariness leave his voice and excitement at his favorite topic ignite a little more energy! (I learned that the Bible is a never ending source of wonder as we learn about the God who breathed life giving Words – that give direction for living and also dying.)

Dad – you lived life well. You and mom raised five responsible, fun loving and productive citizens. In the year since you’ve left us, I’ve thanked the Lord many times for the incredulous gift of the God-fearing parents that we were given. In contemplating your future, I thought that possibly you could scout out and arrange for a special heavenly neighborhood for the Toews family. Twenty one weeks later Mom joined you and although we miss you, we’re happy that you’re together again. You had a wonderful marriage filled with a committed love sprinkled with your gentle teasing and Mom’s ready laughter. You both set powerful examples in how you lived and how you died. May our lives be continual tributes to the incredible people that you were.

__________

* * * * * * * * * *

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Abram Toews, who peacefully passed away, surrounded by family and friends, on September 8, 2011, at the Christine Morrison Hospice in Mission, BC. Left to cherish Dad’s memory is his wife Alma, of 54 years, his daughters, Brenda, Heather, Marion, Bonny, his son Jonathan, 10 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, Isaac and Katerina Toews, and siblings, Isaac, Cornelius, David, Jake and Agatha. Besides his immediate family, he will also be missed by his siblings, Mary, Helen, Kathy, Ferd, Bill, Neil, Elsie and Lydia. Although he touched many hearts with his full, long life, his family was his greatest pride and joy. Those who knew or met Dad, could readily see his love for the Lord and others, through his committed involvement in the New Life Pentecostal Church. Special thanks to the exceptional teams at ARH Palliative Care, and Christine Morrison Hospice. We especially appreciate Ruth Thiessen for her integral role in Dad’s care in the final fourteen months of his journey. A viewing will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Rd. from 7 pm – 9 pm, Tuesday, September 13. A graveside service will be at Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery, 10 am, September 14, followed by the Memorial Service to be held at Clearbrook MB Church, 2719 Clearbrook Rd, at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, send donations for a Foreign Missions Project, c/o New Life Pentecostal Church, Abbotsford, BC.