HAYDEN EARL TOLTON

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HAYDEN EARL TOLTON

July 26, 1925 – June 5, 2023

Hayden passed away on June 5, 2023, at the Simkin Centre, Winnipeg.



He is lovingly remembered by son Tom (June), daughter Aileen; four grandchildren, Ashley (Lawrence), Kiersten (Cameron), Stephen (Manon), Bryce (Sara); six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.



Hayden was born and raised on the family farm in Otterburne West, MB. Youngest son of David Roy and Elizabeth (Bessie), who instilled a commitment to family, community and service to others. Along with his older brothers, Clayton, Garnet and Wallace, Hayden took an active role on the farm developing his strong work ethic, pride in accomplishment, and valued principles that remain true to the end of his life.



Hayden started his education at Marais School in the midst of the great depression. After Grade 11 at the St. Pierre Convent School, Hayden worked on the family farm. In 1945, Hayden enrolled in the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Manitoba graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Degree and Gold Medal for the Class of 1949. Both Tom and Aileen and grandson Bryce followed in Hayden's footsteps graduating with Agriculture Degrees from the U of M.



Upon graduation, Hayden embarked on a career with the Manitoba Department of Agriculture. He served as Agricultural Representative in Holland, MB; where he met and married Joan Sundell on May 26, 1951. Hayden was then a Soil Specialist with the Department in Winnipeg while he attained his Masters of Science in Soil Science and Statistics.



Hayden moved to Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation as Research Director later becoming Manager and member of the Board of Directors. He developed research in crop variability as related to crop insurance; and developed risk areas of crop insurance related to soil type. These rating risk areas, the statistics, statistical analysis and yield information is utilized still today.



In 1983, after a distinguished career with the province, Hayden retired and he accepted an assignment in Indonesia from the United Nations - Food and Agriculture Organization to report on the feasibility of a national crop insurance program for rice.



One of the proudest moments in his career, was being inducted into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2013. Hayden was a founding member in the Manitoba Institute of Agrologists where he was granted an Institute Life Membership. He was active with the Portage Industrial Exhibition and the Carman Fair. From 1986 to 1996 Hayden was a very energetic and valued Farm Labourer at Mowat Farms, Gladstone, MB.



Hayden was a member of the Boys and Girls Club (now Manitoba 4-H) in the Otterburne area. He excelled at individual and team competitions in the National Seed Judging Championships as well as acting as trainer for award winning beef and seed judging teams.



Hayden was very active in serving his communities through the Rotary Club International, United Way, CancerCare Manitoba, Free Mason and the Red Cross (with over 100 blood donations given).



Many wonderful memories were made on family vacations camping across Canada and the USA. Joan and Hayden travelled extensively on holidays over the years to all parts of the world. Once retired, they enjoyed winters in Pine to Palm Park in Weslaco, Texas.



In 2021 Joan and Hayden relocated to the Simkin Centre where in they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Joan passed away at the Simkin Centre in December 2021. We wish to express our gratitude to the entire staff at the Simkin Centre, especially Weinberg 2, for the extraordinary care extended to Joan and Hayden.



A celebration of their lives will take place at Saint Paul's Anglican Church, Fort Garry, 830 North Drive, Winnipeg on July 25 at 10:00 a.m.



In lieu of flowers, contributions in Hayden and Joan's name may be made to Siloam Mission (300 Princess St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 1M3).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 08, 2023