Peter Toews

Peter H. Toews, the son of Henry J. and Helen (Falk) Toews was born on a farm four miles northeast of Butterfield, MN, on July 26, 1908. He received his education at the German Parochial School in Watonwan County, District #30 country school inWatonwan County, and at the Mountain Lake Bible School. He grew to manhood at his parents' farm home and stayed there till he was 25 years of age. In 1931, he was baptized upon confession of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and was received into the membership of the First Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake, MN. He then worked for 20 years in four different creameries, and later he farmed near Butterfield for 30 years. Peter was united in marriage to Marie E. Stoesz on September 14, 1934 at theFirst Mennonite Church north of Butterfield. Here under the great grace of God, Peter and Marie celebrated their silver and golden wedding anniversaries. In their early married life they moved their church membership to the First Mennonite Church north of Butterfield. Peter was active in his church where he was a board member, taught a Sunday School class, served as Sunday School Superintendent, and also as deacon. Peter loved his church and was present whenever possible. In his later years Peter was an active member of the Gideons. Peter moved to Rochester, MN to be closer to his daughters, and this is where he died on Tuesday, September 26, 2006, at the age of 98 years. Peter is survived by two daughters, Angela and her husband Ray Wiens of Byron, MN, and Karen and her husband Larry Padgett of Rochester, MN; five grandchildren, Denny and wife LuEvan Padgett, Kayla and husband Mark Carter, Karmen and husband Lyndon Clark, Darin Padgett, and Kyle and wife Stacy Wiens; ten great grandchildren, Kyle Padgett, Jordan Padgett, Brendan Carter, Dillon Clark, Katarina Wiens, Linnea Clark, Hailey Carter, Taite Clark, Annaka Wiens and Saydie Clark; many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Marie E. Toews on July 23, 1993; a son, Kermit Toews; three brothers, Henry, John and David Toews; and three sisters, Helena Toews, Agnes Martens and Cathryn Sandbo.