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MARGARETE ELISE TOEWS

Born: May 03, 1919

Date of Passing: Oct 29, 2004

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MARGARETE ELISE TOEWS Our dear aunt and great-aunt, Margarete Toews ("Tante Margaretchen"), nee Hamm, died peacefully at Grace Hospital on Friday, October 29, 2004 at the age of 85. Her husband, Jacob Toews, went missing after the Second World War. She was also predeceased by her sister Irmgard Nass and brother Fritz Hamm. She is survived by her nephew Hans-Georg Nass and his wife Helene, of Charlottetown, PEI; great-nieces, Kathryn Nass of Vancouver, BC, and Monica Black (husband Steven Black) and great-great-nieces, Fiona and Klara of Halifax, NS. In addition, she is survived by her sister-in-law Ursula Toews, Germany. Her death is mourned by many friends and the extended family, consisting of her first cousins, their offspring, and respective families. Margarete Toews was born May 3, 1919 in Ladekopp, West Prussia, to Margarete Alice (nee Dueck) and Hans Hamm. She was baptized on Pentecost, 1935, and became a member of the Ladekopp Mennonite Church, the same year her father died due to cancer. She married Jacob Toews in 1940, when the war was already underway. He was drafted shortly thereafter. In 1945 she fled her homeland, surviving blood poisoning and typhoid fever. In 1946 she received two communications from her husband, Jacob, then in Russia, via the Red Cross. Thereafter, he went missing. Upon the untimely death of her sister Irmgard due to leukemia in 1951, Margarete assumed responsibility for her nephew Hans, raising him as her own son. After arranging care for handicapped brother Fritz, she immigrated to Canada during the winter of 1952, together with her mother and Hans. The family found a new spiritual home in the Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church. Margarete Toews worked eight years at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home, and 20 years at Health Sciences Centre as a nurses aide, purchasing her own house in 1960 and retiring in 1980. Tante Margaretchen remembered and acknowledged extended family members birthdays. She enhanced celebrations such as weddings by authoring and reciting poems for the occasion. She remembered clearly her lifes experiences and held the attention of listeners as she recounted those experiences with humour in a dramatic style. Opinions were expressed without reservations - she "told it like it is". Her church family and seniors home family appreciated her many acts of volunteerism - teaching Sunday School and assisting with the meal program at Sunset House. Despite suffering many illnesses, including several types of cancer, congestive heart failure, and pulmonary fibrosis, her zest for life and faith in God did not waiver. At the time of her death our aunt was peaceful and was prepared to meet God. The Nass family lives at a distance and expresses thanks to caregivers Christine and Reinhard Penner. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 3 at 11:00 a.m. at Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church, corner of Sargent Avenue and Garfield Street. Viewing will occur prior to the service, as well as the previous evening, Tuesday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional service at 7:30 p.m. at Klassen Funeral Chapel, 1897 Henderson Hwy. In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Margarete Toews may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. KLASSEN FUNERAL HOME 1897 Henderson - North of McIvor - 925-1120

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 01, 2004

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