A celebration of life for Joel Gerald Toews, 96, 0f Enid, will be 10:00a.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at the Enid Mennonite Brethren church. Burial will follow in the Enid Mennonite Brethren Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home on Monday, April 22 from 6:00-8:00p.m.
Joel Gerald Toews was born on December 1st, 1922 in Henderson, Nebraska to his parents, Susana Regier Toews and Abraham G. Toews and passed away April 17, 2019. He was the fifth son of six sons and daughters, which were Ella Weins, George Toews, John Toews, Sophia Thesman and Calvin Toews. His family relocated and lived on a farm north of Enid, Oklahoma. He attended and graduated from Kremlin School. Joel was a lifelong member of the Enid Mennonite Brethren Church, serving faithfully. He married Anna Lula Voth of Enid, Oklahoma on October 12th, 1947. Their union was blessed by five children, Douglas Wayne Toews of Santa Barbara, CA, Darryl Jay Toews, Randall Dean Toews, Sandra Sue Roberts of Enid, OK, and Lori Ann Dallavo of El Segundo, CA.
Joel was an excellent farmer, cattleman, and horseman. He volunteered as Docent at the Cherokee Strip Heritage Center and at the Midgley House Museum. He was a talented musician and was a founder of the Plains Folk musical group, which is still active. As an expert horseman and wagoneer, Joel participated in many parades as well as the 100th anniversary Chisolm Trail Reenactment through Garfield County. He received the distinction of being named Honorary Life Member of the Cherokee Territorial Wagon Train.
Joel is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Anna, his son Randall Dean and his son Darryl Jay.
He is survived and will be missed by his son Douglas and his daughters Sandra and Lori, as well as his ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, two sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, his only surviving sibling and sister, Sophia, and many, many friends.
Memorial contributions can be made to Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center with Ladusau-Evans serving as custodian of the funds. Condolences may be made at www.ladusauevans.com