Our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Myrtle Evelyn Toews Hagelberger, was born to Peter Penner and Ella Amoth Toews in their home at Wales, North Dakota, on December 5, 1934. She departed this life on February 15, 2024, going home to meet her Savior and her husband. She will now be able to walk the green fields of heaven with a clear mind, free from disease. She reached the age of 89 years, with death being caused by cardiac disease and dementia.

Her childhood years were spent in the Wales, North Dakota area, where she received her education at the one room country school. She was the second daughter in a family that would grow to 12 children. The older children were expected to help with the many aspects of work in the house and around the farm. From this childhood, she developed a work ethic and thriftiness that lasted her a lifetime. As she grew older, she helped neighbors with their work, cooking meals for the crews during potato harvest, and especially working for Clifford and Elizabeth Mastre. Later, she worked as a nurse in a psychiatric hospital in Jamestown, North Dakota. She was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, on April 21, 1946, by Min. John M. Penner. To these vows, she remained faithful to the end.

In 1957, her parents moved to the new congregation at Almena, Wisconsin. Several years later, she and several of her siblings followed their parents to Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, she worked in local hospitals as a nurse and, after marrying our father, she worked as a surgical assistant until the birth of her first child four years later. She became acquainted with our father during his time in the US Army through one of his sisters, with whom she worked. After his baptism into the Church, they were married on December 30, 1960, sharing the joys and sorrows of life for 62 years until his passing in September of 2023. To this union were born one son and one daughter. After our parents’ marriage, they bought a small hobby farm in the Barronett, Wisconsin area. With our father working as a rural lineman, they farmed on a small scale and reared us children there. In 1977, they moved to a farm by Comstock, Wisconsin. Some years later, our mother accompanied our father as he assumed the occupation of being a trucker. They traveled many happy, adventuresome miles together. In 1990, they moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where they made many friends. There our father was ordained to the deaconry on September 25, 1994. Our mother’s childhood work ethic and concern for others stood her in good stead as she faithfully supported him in this work until his retirement in 2017. In 1997, they moved to the new congregation at Yuma, Arizona. In 2000, they moved back to Wisconsin to be near their children. Upon moving to Wisconsin, they lived in Almena, until moving in with their children six years ago.

Although small of stature, our mother will be remembered for her quiet persistence, hospitality, and kindness. Many people went through their doors through the years, enjoying a good meal and fellowship or a good night’s rest. She was always willing to do what needed to be done, never complaining or wishing for an easier life. She was a believer in prayer and would say, “We’ll soak it in prayer” after listening to other’s troubles. She loved each of her children’s spouses, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always brought a sparkle to her eyes.

She is survived by one son, Scott (Martha) of Cumberland; one daughter, Roxanne (Vincent) Mininger of Blountsville, AL; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Erma and Maynard Hanes, and Sylvia Emerson; two brothers, Willard and Gwen Toews and Morrel and Yvonne Toews; 4 sisters-in-law, Gertrude Toews, Marlene Sorte, Joan and Richard Anderson, and Susan and Bud Hansen; four brothers-in-law, James Mlejnek, David and Glenda Hagelberger, Mike Hagelberger and Mark Hagelberger; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; parents-in-law; four brothers; three sisters, four sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law.

A funeral service for Myrtle will be held on Monday, February 19, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the Gospel Mennonite Church near Almena with Ministers Tom Millsap, Arlene Wiggers and Darwin Meissen officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 18 at the Gospel Mennonite Church and one hour prior to the service on Monday morning. Burial will be at Bethany Cemetery in the Township of Cumberland.

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

Last Update: Feb 19, 2024 12:27 pm CST