Anna (Janzen) Toews 1901 - 1966

Anna (nee Janzen) Toews was born June 30, 1901 in the village of Karaguj, Orenburg, Russia, where she also spent her childhood and youth.

At 18 years of age she recognized her lost condition, accepted Christ as her Saviour and was baptized and accepted into the Mennonite church. She later joined the Mennonite Brethren Church. On October 22, 1922, she married Cornelius David Toews, and together they began 43 years of wedded bliss. In 1926, the Lord led them to Canada where they were blessed with six children, three sons: Neil, Harry and Walter; and three daughters: Clara, Nellie and Lily.

After their ordination into the ministry in 1936, she acknowledged her sacred duty, and supported her husband wholeheartedly. After 14 years in Manitoba, the Lord called them to British Columbia where she was active in the Sunday school as well as the ladies' work in the church. Her personal work with women was especially blessed during her three years of service with the MCC in Europe.

Shortly before Christmas she became ill with a serious heart ailment, and was admitted to the hospital on December 28th, 1965. A severe heart attack on January 6, followed by a second one on January 9th, 1966, ushered into eternal rest.

Funeral services were held on January 13th at the Clearbrook Church with many friends and acquaintances overflowing the sanctuary. Officiating ministers were J. Pankratz of East Aldergrove and H.H. Nikkel.

We feel that the passing of our sister in Christ was a great loss, but knowing that our heavenly Father makes no mistakes, we rejoice that she many no rest from all earthly tasks.

She leaves to mourn: her husband, Rev. C.D. Toews; three daughters: Clara (Leo) De Heck, Vancouver; Nellie (Jack) Krahn, North Vancouver; Lily (Helmut) Allert, Kamloops; three sons: Neil of Kamloops, Harry of Vancouver and Walter of Winnipeg as well as ten grandchildren, two sisters and one brother in Russia.