Merv Toews

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Mervin Robert Toews, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend on March 28, 2024 in Apache Junction, AZ.

Merv was born October 4, 1949, to Lawrence and Minnie Toews at the Herbert Hospital, a little brother for his sister Merle.  He attended Morse School until the age of 16, and then went to work for his father at Toews Garage. Merv decided to join the Morse Volunteer Fire Department in 1965, and became fire chief in 1982, where he remained in that position until he retired in 2012.  Merv’s total dedicated service to the Morse Volunteer Fire Department was 47 years.

Merv met Linda, the love of his life in 1969, and they were married September 27 of that same year.  Together they had two children, Lee born Feb 18, 1970, and Corrie born July 15, 1972.  When tragedy struck their family in 1987 with the loss of their beautiful daughter Corrie, Merv was the pillar of strength that held their family together during this difficult of time, as well as in the years to come.  In 1995, he was introduced to a new role – Grandpa.  Merv was blessed with three grandchildren, Breanna, Ashley and Aaron, and was immensely proud and loved each of them dearly.

Merv was very active in sports his whole life.  He played hockey until 1972, and then moved onto the sport of curling.  He was a regional member with the Saskatchewan Curling Association for six years, and along with sitting on the association he also had many personal successes on the curling ice.  In 1986 their mixed curling team of Merv and Linda Toews, and Lee and Sharon Weppler won the Provincial Mixed curling championship and represented Saskatchewan in the Canadians held out in Kamloops, BC.  Then in 1993 the Volunteer Fire Department members of Merv, Larry Shaw, Doug Wilson and Lee Toews won the Provincial Fireman’s curling and represented Saskatchewan at the Canadian Firefighter Championship in Edmonton, AB.

Merv was very community minded.  Not only was he a long-time Volunteer Fire Fighter he was instrumental in getting the new curling rink built in Morse, helped with the planning of many Morse Days celebrations, and along with Jim Quigley, got the Morse Golf course up and running including the construction of the club house.

While still operating Toews Garage, Merv was also a Salesman for Great West Chrysler in Swift Current and then Western Dodge in Moose Jaw.  Once he semi-retired he started working for Warren Benson at W.D. Enterprises hauling gravel.  He eventually sold Toews Garage but continued working for Warren up until his passing.  The Spring and Summer months were spent at Palliser Park and when he wasn’t working you could always find him out on the Sage View Golf Course or visiting with friends.  In the winter his love of nice weather took them to Apache Junction, AZ where they made a little home away from home.

Merv leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 54 years Linda, his son Lee (Terra-Lee) Toews, his grandchildren – Breanna (Brandt) Miller, Ashley Toews, Aaron Toews (Autumn Nimegeers); his sister Merle (Ken) Shaw; his sister-in-law Gail (Randy) Holderbein; his brother-in-law Brian (Marilyn) Booth; his nieces Pam (Daren) Caswell, Lola (Roland) Piquette, Lynette (Anthony) Wheeler, and Karlene Rigg; his nephews Darren (Tara) Shaw, Kyle Holderbein, and Brad (JF Allard) Booth; along with many great nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Merv was predeceased by his beloved daughter Corrie; his parents Lawrence and Minnie Toews; his grandparents Bernard and Annie Toews; his mother and father-in-law Bill and Emma Cooper; along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life was held on May 31, 2024 at the Morse Community Hall. Donations can be made to the Morse Fire Protection Committee, PO Box 340, Morse, SK S0H 3C0.

Arrangements entrusted to Warren’s Funeral Home, for further information please call (306) 773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members on the tribute wall.

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