John Toews ObituaryJohn Toews, age 89 from Salem Home, passed away Sunday January 11, 2026. He is survived by his wife Elisabeth, 2 sons, Don (Grace) Toews, Trevor Toews, 2 daughters, Wendy (Gerald) Letkeman, Kim (Wes) Kehler, 9 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, 1 great- grandson and great - granddaughter in infancy.
A private family burial will take place prior to the service.
John Norman Toews
October 18, 1936 - January 11, 2026
John Norman Toews was born on October 18, 1936, to Peter and Nettie Toews of Rosetown.
John found the love of his life living in the small village of Schoenwiese, Betty Thiessen, or “cutie” as he referred to her in his correspondence with her when they were dating. They were married on October 6, 1957, at the Sommerfelder Church in Altona. They built their home and life in the village of Schoenwiese where they raised four children: Don (Donny), Kim (Kimberly), Wendy and Trevor.
You could say John was a type “A” personality, a hard worker, as he would say; “if we can do it today, why wait until tomorrow, let’s get the job done!”. This attitude helped him throughout his life, and at the different jobs he had while building a life with Betty and their family. Early in their married life they moved to Winnipeg where John worked for the winter months. During one particularly hot summer he also worked near Gretna installing pipe infrastructure where his personality proved to be an asset. In the trench where it was nice and cool, well one day when they were having issues fitting a pipe, John jumped in the trench and with some “persuasion” using a large hammer he got the job done, he started climbing out but the foreman told him to stay where he was, that’s where he’d be working from now on.
Along with that personality, John also had a big heart and enjoyed helping those around him. At times there were new families moving into the village and we would stop by and introduce himself and then come home and tell his daughter Wendy that they had girls her age and they would need friends. He encouraged her to hop on her bike and go play with them and be their friend. Whether it was helping Frank Zacherias and John Falk haul water to flood the village rink, pulling out stuck hydro crews or seeing someone in need of something, he would do his best to help. John also had a big heart for animals. Going to visit the farm, as soon the farm dog would see John’s vehicle it would race to the back to meet him wagging his tail, John always had a big smile when he saw that, not sure who was happier to see who.
John’s true passion was farming. He started his farming career around 1954, growing cereals, then crops like corn and eventually moving into specialty crops like sugar beets which he thoroughly enjoyed, as well as edible beans. Though not every season produced bumper crops, having to eat dusty sandwiches, and combining without a cab, he never lost his passion for farming. Even when he was no longer active on the farm, he always enjoyed going for a drive to see how the fields were doing, and maybe to check-up on things to make sure the fields were being planted in nice straight rows, pre G.P.S. technology. He loved to see the passion for farming continue on in his family as new generations grew up.
Following a successful career in farming John found a new career suited to his ever-present passion for driving and traveling. He began delivering motorhomes for Triple E. For many years he would typically take a couple of motorhomes with the assistance of another driver from the village or someone else he knew and they would deliver the units to either a dealer show where he would setup things and answer potential customer questions or deliver the motorhomes to dealers across North America where Betty would often join him. At the same time John enjoyed sharing his love of travelling with Betty and the rest of the family. They enjoyed longer road trips with destinations like California and Florida, or British Columbia and P.E.I., including one trip to Europe. They also took great pleasure in camping with immediate family or Betty’s siblings at places like Detroit Lakes, Clear Lake, as well pulling the camper to La Crete Alberta to spend time with Betty’s brother and his family. Taking the family to Disney World as well as spending weekends at a hotel in the States with family were a couple more highlights for them.
In retirement, John and Betty enjoyed going south to spend their winters in Yuma, Arizona. While the rest of the family were cleaning up after a Christmas gathering on December 26th, John was packing up the truck and camper and taking down the outdoor Christmas lights, so they were ready to go on December 27th. In Yuma they enjoyed spending time with relatives who would join or visit them, as well as meeting new people whose friendship they maintained for many years. While in Yuma it was important for John to keep in touch with what was going on at home, weather, and particularly funeral announcements. So, with a bit of help, they learned how to work some new technology, starting with a laptop and then getting themselves each an iPad. While the first few emails contained the entire message in the “Subject” bar, eventually they figured things out and enjoyed keeping up with family, local weather and news, and yes, funeral announcements. In particular, they enjoyed golfing which they were first introduced to by Betty’s brother Peter at the local golf course at Pilot Mound. John and Betty were hooked immediately, and thoroughly enjoyed this past time for many years, having a yearly membership in Winkler, and sharing that activity with family and friends.
John had a strong faith. John was baptized in 1957. He and Betty attended the Sommerfelder Church in Altona where he taught Sunday School, and then later they became members of Bethel Bergthaler Mennonite Church at Hochfeld. He enjoyed reading the Daily Bread devotional and his Bible every morning at the breakfast table.
John’s true passion was Betty and may best be described this way. Betty isn’t exactly a morning person one could say, so John would wake up early every morning and prepare coffee for the both of them, cutting a Costco blueberry muffin in half to share. While John read his daily devotion and finished his portion of the muffin, Mom would wake up and sit in her favourite chair by the window in the family room. John would faithfully bring Betty her coffee and muffin and then join her at his favourite chair finishing his coffee as they enjoyed the view through the window. Even when both of their health declined and he developed a tremor in his right hand and some coffee may have been spilled, he faithfully brought Betty her breakfast until his health no longer allowed him to do it. When both of their health’s declined in recent years, they were able to remain together, until the day John passed away, his only concern was Betty, asking family to check on her and take care of her, even if he could only whisper it in the end.
John Norman Toews, 89, passed away peacefully at Salem Home surrounded by family on January 11, 2026. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Betty (nee Thiessen) of Schoenwiese, two daughters, Kim (Wes) Kehler of Winkler, Wendy (Gerald) Letkeman of Winkler and two sons, Don (Grace) Toews of Winkler and Trevor Toews of Winkler; nine grandchildren, Crystal (Nathan) Rachul, Tiffany (Garnet) Peters, Jarrad (Kristin) Toews, Devin (Stephanie) Toews, Amber (Brent) Thiessen, Kristen (Mitchell) Rempel, Dustin (Ashley) Letkeman, Shawn (Rita) Letkeman and Carrie (Nick) Reimer; 19 great-grandchildren, Owen & Cadence Rachul, Ally & Levi Peters, Emslee, Olson, Sawyer & Zara Toews, Brantley, Nash & Rogan Toews, Eliana, Toby & Samara Thiessen, Denver & Skylar Rempel, Shaya & Joel Reimer and Rory Letkeman; two brothers-in-law Ed (Kate) Klassen & Allan (Anne) Recksiedler; five sisters-in-law, Katherine Thiessen, Tina Thiessen, Linda Thiessen, Kate (Ed) Klassen & Anne (Allan) Recksiedler.
He was predeceased by his parents (Peter & Nettie); three brothers-in-law, Peter Thiessen, Cornie Thiessen, Peter Letkeman, Jake Thiessen & John Thiessen; four sisters-in-law, Mary Giesbrecht, Susan Thiessen, Tina Thiessen & Helen Letkeman.
On behalf of the family, we would like to say “Thank You” to all the staff at Lorne Memorial Hospital in Swan Lake, and Salem Home in Winkler for all the care they provided John. We would also like to say “Thank You” to everyone at Wiebe Funeral Home for your exceptional care and compassion during this difficult time. Your professionalism and the kindness you’ve shown has been a great comfort to our family.
A private family burial will take place prior to the service.
John Norman Toews
October 18, 1936 - January 11, 2026
John Norman Toews was born on October 18, 1936, to Peter and Nettie Toews of Rosetown.
John found the love of his life living in the small village of Schoenwiese, Betty Thiessen, or “cutie” as he referred to her in his correspondence with her when they were dating. They were married on October 6, 1957, at the Sommerfelder Church in Altona. They built their home and life in the village of Schoenwiese where they raised four children: Don (Donny), Kim (Kimberly), Wendy and Trevor.
You could say John was a type “A” personality, a hard worker, as he would say; “if we can do it today, why wait until tomorrow, let’s get the job done!”. This attitude helped him throughout his life, and at the different jobs he had while building a life with Betty and their family. Early in their married life they moved to Winnipeg where John worked for the winter months. During one particularly hot summer he also worked near Gretna installing pipe infrastructure where his personality proved to be an asset. In the trench where it was nice and cool, well one day when they were having issues fitting a pipe, John jumped in the trench and with some “persuasion” using a large hammer he got the job done, he started climbing out but the foreman told him to stay where he was, that’s where he’d be working from now on.
Along with that personality, John also had a big heart and enjoyed helping those around him. At times there were new families moving into the village and we would stop by and introduce himself and then come home and tell his daughter Wendy that they had girls her age and they would need friends. He encouraged her to hop on her bike and go play with them and be their friend. Whether it was helping Frank Zacherias and John Falk haul water to flood the village rink, pulling out stuck hydro crews or seeing someone in need of something, he would do his best to help. John also had a big heart for animals. Going to visit the farm, as soon the farm dog would see John’s vehicle it would race to the back to meet him wagging his tail, John always had a big smile when he saw that, not sure who was happier to see who.
John’s true passion was farming. He started his farming career around 1954, growing cereals, then crops like corn and eventually moving into specialty crops like sugar beets which he thoroughly enjoyed, as well as edible beans. Though not every season produced bumper crops, having to eat dusty sandwiches, and combining without a cab, he never lost his passion for farming. Even when he was no longer active on the farm, he always enjoyed going for a drive to see how the fields were doing, and maybe to check-up on things to make sure the fields were being planted in nice straight rows, pre G.P.S. technology. He loved to see the passion for farming continue on in his family as new generations grew up.
Following a successful career in farming John found a new career suited to his ever-present passion for driving and traveling. He began delivering motorhomes for Triple E. For many years he would typically take a couple of motorhomes with the assistance of another driver from the village or someone else he knew and they would deliver the units to either a dealer show where he would setup things and answer potential customer questions or deliver the motorhomes to dealers across North America where Betty would often join him. At the same time John enjoyed sharing his love of travelling with Betty and the rest of the family. They enjoyed longer road trips with destinations like California and Florida, or British Columbia and P.E.I., including one trip to Europe. They also took great pleasure in camping with immediate family or Betty’s siblings at places like Detroit Lakes, Clear Lake, as well pulling the camper to La Crete Alberta to spend time with Betty’s brother and his family. Taking the family to Disney World as well as spending weekends at a hotel in the States with family were a couple more highlights for them.
In retirement, John and Betty enjoyed going south to spend their winters in Yuma, Arizona. While the rest of the family were cleaning up after a Christmas gathering on December 26th, John was packing up the truck and camper and taking down the outdoor Christmas lights, so they were ready to go on December 27th. In Yuma they enjoyed spending time with relatives who would join or visit them, as well as meeting new people whose friendship they maintained for many years. While in Yuma it was important for John to keep in touch with what was going on at home, weather, and particularly funeral announcements. So, with a bit of help, they learned how to work some new technology, starting with a laptop and then getting themselves each an iPad. While the first few emails contained the entire message in the “Subject” bar, eventually they figured things out and enjoyed keeping up with family, local weather and news, and yes, funeral announcements. In particular, they enjoyed golfing which they were first introduced to by Betty’s brother Peter at the local golf course at Pilot Mound. John and Betty were hooked immediately, and thoroughly enjoyed this past time for many years, having a yearly membership in Winkler, and sharing that activity with family and friends.
John had a strong faith. John was baptized in 1957. He and Betty attended the Sommerfelder Church in Altona where he taught Sunday School, and then later they became members of Bethel Bergthaler Mennonite Church at Hochfeld. He enjoyed reading the Daily Bread devotional and his Bible every morning at the breakfast table.
John’s true passion was Betty and may best be described this way. Betty isn’t exactly a morning person one could say, so John would wake up early every morning and prepare coffee for the both of them, cutting a Costco blueberry muffin in half to share. While John read his daily devotion and finished his portion of the muffin, Mom would wake up and sit in her favourite chair by the window in the family room. John would faithfully bring Betty her coffee and muffin and then join her at his favourite chair finishing his coffee as they enjoyed the view through the window. Even when both of their health declined and he developed a tremor in his right hand and some coffee may have been spilled, he faithfully brought Betty her breakfast until his health no longer allowed him to do it. When both of their health’s declined in recent years, they were able to remain together, until the day John passed away, his only concern was Betty, asking family to check on her and take care of her, even if he could only whisper it in the end.
John Norman Toews, 89, passed away peacefully at Salem Home surrounded by family on January 11, 2026. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Betty (nee Thiessen) of Schoenwiese, two daughters, Kim (Wes) Kehler of Winkler, Wendy (Gerald) Letkeman of Winkler and two sons, Don (Grace) Toews of Winkler and Trevor Toews of Winkler; nine grandchildren, Crystal (Nathan) Rachul, Tiffany (Garnet) Peters, Jarrad (Kristin) Toews, Devin (Stephanie) Toews, Amber (Brent) Thiessen, Kristen (Mitchell) Rempel, Dustin (Ashley) Letkeman, Shawn (Rita) Letkeman and Carrie (Nick) Reimer; 19 great-grandchildren, Owen & Cadence Rachul, Ally & Levi Peters, Emslee, Olson, Sawyer & Zara Toews, Brantley, Nash & Rogan Toews, Eliana, Toby & Samara Thiessen, Denver & Skylar Rempel, Shaya & Joel Reimer and Rory Letkeman; two brothers-in-law Ed (Kate) Klassen & Allan (Anne) Recksiedler; five sisters-in-law, Katherine Thiessen, Tina Thiessen, Linda Thiessen, Kate (Ed) Klassen & Anne (Allan) Recksiedler.
He was predeceased by his parents (Peter & Nettie); three brothers-in-law, Peter Thiessen, Cornie Thiessen, Peter Letkeman, Jake Thiessen & John Thiessen; four sisters-in-law, Mary Giesbrecht, Susan Thiessen, Tina Thiessen & Helen Letkeman.
On behalf of the family, we would like to say “Thank You” to all the staff at Lorne Memorial Hospital in Swan Lake, and Salem Home in Winkler for all the care they provided John. We would also like to say “Thank You” to everyone at Wiebe Funeral Home for your exceptional care and compassion during this difficult time. Your professionalism and the kindness you’ve shown has been a great comfort to our family.