Cornelius Toews

Obituary

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Cornelius Dueck Toews, on August 11, 2026, at Bethesda Place in Steinbach, Manitoba.

Dad was predeceased by his parents, Jacob & Helena (Dueck) Toews; two brothers; two brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; and his parents-in-law, Gerhard & Margareta (Gerbrand) Falk.

Dad will be lovingly remembered by Maria Falk Toews, his wife of 53 years, as well as his nine children, 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren:

• Stanley and Norma (Niverville, MB), and their children: Luke and Jennifer, and their son, Levi; Jonathan and Rachel, and their daughter, Everley; and Jessica and Joshua Peters, and their sons, Shepherd and Fisher
• Dennis and Jo (Hong Kong), and their son, Kyle
• Stella and Gerald Black (Cartwright, MB)
• Elmer and Wanda (Mitchell, MB), and their children: Jadden and Morgen, and their daughter, Maeve; Nathan; Benjamin; and Isla
• Melvin and Ange (Winnipeg, MB), and their sons, Jude and Pierson
• Hilda (Edmonton, AB)
• Selma and James Harder (Kleefeld, MB), and their children, Anika, Ethan, and Sadie
• Erna and Christian Lucht (Hornbek, Germany), and their children, Natalie, Johanna, and Maximilian
• Kelvin and Aleesha (Williams Lake, BC), and their son, Everett

Dad is also survived by five siblings; numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews; and many friends.

Dad was born on December 10, 1945, near New Bothwell, Manitoba. He was baptised upon the confession of his faith in 1971. On September 7, 1972, he married Maria Falk in Colony Bergthal, Paraguay.

In 1947, Dad was part of a large group that moved from southern Manitoba to Colony Bergthal, Paraguay. Mom and Dad later made the decision to return to Canada, and in April 1986, they moved to Steinbach, Manitoba, with their eight children. Their ninth child was born in Canada in 1987.

In Paraguay, Dad worked as a long-distance truck driver and was part of a team that cleared land for the Itaipu Dam. In Manitoba, he worked at Loewen Windows and later at a hog barn.

Dad enjoyed working on puzzles and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s baseball and hockey games, where he loved cheering them on. With family and friends around the world, he also appreciated phone calls and video chats that helped him stay connected. Most of all, he loved welcoming family and friends into the home he shared with Mom for tereré or mate, and having the family over for a barbecue.

Dad’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him so much joy. He was very proud of them and always had a story or joke to share about something they had done or said.

The family would like to thank the staff at Bethesda Place for the excellent care Dad received. We are also grateful to those who drove Dad to visit Mom while they were living in separate care homes, and to everyone who visited him regularly.

The viewing and devotional will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at New Bothwell Sommerfeld Church, 36046 MB-216, New Bothwell, MB., with burial to follow at the church cemetery.