Obituary of Marlene Toews

Marlene Dolores Reimer Toews was born March 1, 1943 in Steinbach, MB, the only child of Jake and Helena Reimer. She passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 30, 2020 at her residence in Greenland, MB.

Marlene had very fond memories of growing up with her mother. She enjoyed living in Greenland, next to the place where her mother was brought up, and close to family and friends--including her future husband. She completed grade school at Greenland South and went on to receive further education at Teachers College in Winnipeg, MB. She taught school in Landmark for three years before she was married.

Marlene accepted the Lord as her personal Saviour and was baptized on August 4, 1957, by Joe Isaac in The Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. She was a steadfast and faithful servant of the Lord and held this close in marriage and as a mother.

On July 12, 1968, Marlene married Alvin Toews, a schoolmate she met at 6 years old. They lived on her childhood acreage and this is where they raised their 5 boys together.

Our mother enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, canning and baking. She loved telling jokes and had a quick wit. Relationships were precious to her, and this was reflected in the time she took travelling to see distant relatives and friends. She loved her grandchildren dearly and was often seen singing Low German nursery rhymes with them, teaching them to sew and how to bake. They enjoyed decorating cookies together with lots of extra frosting. She taught us many things, and she herself had a curiosity for learning.

Marlene always looked out for the quiet people in the crowd, the marginalized, or anyone who did not fit in. She took the time to get to know people and was always eager to help. Her home was a place of welcome, where people could drop in at any time and they were looked after. Her flowerbeds and garden were always bountiful and full of life. Her presence and warmth are felt now around her home and she has left a hole too big for any of us to fill.

Those left to cherish her life and memories are: Alvin, her husband of 52 years; five sons: Kenneth, Jacob and wife Heather, Jonathan and wife Ruth, Timothy and wife Carmela, and Leslie; grandchildren: Sage, Matthew, Hannah, Hagen, Aliyah, Myles and Julian and another one expected this fall; sisters-in-law: Frances Unger, Elsie Toews (Donald), Irene Toews (Harry), Anne Fullerton, Elizabeth Jones, Norma Toews, Josephine Toews and Janet Toews; special cousins: Darlene Enns, Clarice Friesen and Dorothy Friesen; and many more dear cousins, nieces and nephews and her church family.

Marlene was predeceased by her parents; infant son, Trevor Matthew; sister-in-law, Alice Toews; brothers-in-law: Abe Unger (Frances), Donald Toews, Harry Toews, Wayne Jones (Elizabeth), George Isoevic (Norma) and Jan Bron (Janet); and special cousins: Leanna Friesen and Edgar Friesen.

The private family funeral will be held on Friday, August 7, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at Rosewood Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, 32143 PR 210, MB. A public come-and-go viewing will be held prior to the private service from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.