Gertrude Mae (Hollingsworth) Toews passed away with family by her side on April 23, 2024 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota due to age and health complications.

She was born July 9, 1933 to Cyril and Evelyn (Triepke) Hollingsworth in Nortonville, North Dakota. She grew up in Dickey, North Dakota, attending school there and graduating from high school in 1952. She took a teacher’s preparatory course and taught in a one room school for one year. She then moved to Jamestown, North Dakota and entered the health care field at the state hospital. While working there, Mom met and married our dad, Ivan Toews, on May 15, 1959. They shared 55 years until dad’s passing on February 28, 2014.

On December 25, 1966 Mom was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite. Her faith in God helped her through many heartaches in life. Losing both of her parents at a young age, 2 of her children and her husband. In her younger years, she enjoyed teaching Bible School and Sunday School. Teaching her grandchildren to do right was very important to her. She especially enjoyed her grandsons spending as much time as possible with her. Mom was blessed with a full life of enjoyment till the end.

In 1960 Dad and Mom moved to Edmunds, North Dakota. There they lived on a large grain and beef farm for 5 years. In 1965 Dad and Mom packed up their 4 children, the family dog, and their mobile home and moved to live in Wisconsin. They spent the first winter near Barron, and in the spring of 1966, they moved to a turkey farm near Wheeler, living there until 1972. In October of 1969 they purchased their first 12 cows and began their life as dairy farmers in a small rented barn a few miles from their home. While continuing to work at Jerome Foods turkey farm, they pursued their dream to own their own farm. In the spring of 1972, they purchased their farm near Almena, where they dairy farmed for the next 32 years. This was home for Mom for the next 52 years.

Mom was a hard worker and learned responsibility early in life being the oldest of 7 children. All through life she cared for her family and friends. Mom always made sure that everyone that stopped in never left hungry or without a little gift. She sewed and mended clothes for the family and grew a large garden. Working beside Dad at the daily things on the farm was another highlight. When her children were grown, she spent 20 summers working for the local canning company. Then in her retirement years, she cared for Dad when his health started to fail. She spent many hours knitting and doing hand work for a hobby.

She is survived by two daughters, Lannette (Karl) Ladwig of Curtis, Kandas Toews of Almena; a son, DeLynn (Kyndra) Toews of Clayton; grandchildren, Dustin Toews, DeJay and Kayden Toews; one great- granddaughter, Deziree; sister, Judy Muske of North Dakota; sisters-in-law, Erma (Maynard) Haynes and Sylvia Emerson of Barron; brothers-in-law, Jim Mlejnek of Rice Lake, Willard (Gwen) Toews and Morrell (Yvonne) Toews of Clayton; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Ivan; son, Douglas; daughter, Sandra; parents and parents- in-law; 3 sisters; 2 brothers; 8 brothers-in-law; and 7 sisters-in-law.

A funeral service for Gertrude will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Gospel Mennonite Church near Almena, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held Friday, May 3, 2024 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Rausch & Steel Funeral Home in Barron and one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be at Wayside Cemetery in Barron.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron.

Last Update: Apr 28, 2024 12:53 pm CDT