Contact Us Anytime
Obituary of Kevin Toews
Kevin passed away suddenly on Tuesday, January 5th, 2021 at his home.
He is survived by his beloved wife Giselle and their three sons Steven (Alyssa and their children Ezekiel, Oliver & Hannah); Jordan (Heidi and their children Hudson, Emmalyn, and Seth); Nicholas (Julia). He also leaves to mourn his parents, Peter and Anne, his three brothers Ernest (Sherri), Sheldon (Corinne), Daryl (Char). As well as his parents-in-law Abe and Trudy Esau, brother-in-law Jon (Ang) Esau, and sister-in-law Sherilyn (Ben) Lucyk as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was predeceased by four angel grandbabies.
Kevin was born to Peter and Anne Toews on October 20th, 1969 in Steinbach, Manitoba. He was the oldest of four boys and grew up in the small town of Grunthal. He developed an early love for dirt bikes, quads, cars and being in the great outdoors. These passions would last throughout his lifetime. The four brothers spent their childhood days hunting rabbits, riding dirt bikes around the yard, playing ball and skating outside. Summers as a child were spent camping at Betula Lake, skiing and tubing behind his dad’s boat as well as family camping trips to BC and several trips with the truck and camper to Florida with cousins and grandparents.
When Kevin was 16 years old he met Giselle, and their lives were forever entwined. They married on June 2, 1990. Together they lovingly built a rambunctious family with three boys. Kevin provided for his family through a number of jobs over the years including construction, taping, catching chickens, stucco, driving semi-truck for livestock companies, septic services and, when work wasn’t plenty, he used his sheer strength in arm wrestling to ‘bring home the bacon’.
He loved his family immensely and never wanted to be away from them. When leaving for a trip, he would always refer to when he would be home with the phrase “I’ll be home by…”. He never missed a birthday or event that was coming up on the calendar. He shared his love of the outdoors with his boys through family camping trips, fishing and watersports to cool the hot days. Kevin taught the boys how to shoot a gun and eventually they would go hunting together, taking great pride in filling the freezers with meat. Kevin enjoyed bringing the boys with on trucking trips and taking the family on several vacations including Banff, Wisconsin Dells and Ontario. Many nights were spent bonding around a roaring bonfire with family and friends in summer or winter. He also took great joy in working on dirt bikes, quads and vehicles with his boys and instilled within each of them a great work ethic. Kevin was always so proud of his boys and their work hard attitude.
Kevin’s undying love for his wife was evident in his everyday actions and his thoughtful gifts. Whether he was stoking the wood stove, vacuuming, mowing the grass or doing the dishes, taking care of his wife was one of his greatest joys. He loved buying her sweaters, coats, boots and mittens to keep her warm. Though it was perhaps beyond his comfort, he could be found following his vibrant wife onto the dancefloor of a wedding or dressing up alongside her to attend a party. He never shied away from sitting beside her in church when she wore a bright colour or print, and quietly indulged her likes with a pleased smile.
When his family grew again with daughters-in-law and grandbabies, the love he had for family grew alongside. He took great pride in being called Papa to his six grandchildren and spoiled them often with his undivided attention. He could often be found dozing on the couch with a sleeping babe draped across his chest, or in the backyard pushing a swing with a giggling child. He never shied away from sitting on the floor to talk with them about their day, play a game or read a favorite book. When meeting with a friend he would often tell stories of his grandchildren or show off a most recent photo.
In the summer of 2000, Kevin was baptized on the confession of his faith and lived for the Lord by taking care of his family and befriending anyone who crossed his path. He enjoyed being with people, and could be found almost every morning in the local coffee shop talking with those around him. Though he was a quieter man he was always eager for conversation and a chance to laugh. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Kevin had a warm and inviting heart that was always open to family and friends who would come and join him in the garage or around the bonfire.
The family would like to express our sincere appreciation and special thanks to the EMS and RCMP for their kindness and understanding. Thank you to Jarrod Chamberlin and Ernie Dyck at Birchwood Funeral Chapel for their guidance and compassion during this difficult time. Thank you to our family and friends for all their loving support and prayers.
The viewing will be held at the Grunthal Bergthaler Church, Grunthal, MB., on Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 from 9:00 am-12:00 p.m. for the public and from 12:30 p.m. -2:00 p.m. for family members at the Bergthaler Church. Covid 19 restrictions will be in place and a limit of 5 people will be allowed in at one time.
The funeral service will begin at 2:30 p.m. and will be livestreamed by the Grunthal Bergthaler Church for those who wish to watch (www.grunthalbergthaler.com). The interment will proceed following the service at the Grunthal cemetery.
To join the family via livestream please visit the link provided at the time of the service. https://youtu.be/NOwMQKb-ZLg
