August M. ToenniesOctober 27, 1927 - July 5, 2012
The death of Mr. August Toennies of Evergreen Country Home, LeRoy, SK, (and formerly of Muenster, SK), occurred at Humboldt District Hospital, Humboldt, SK, on Thursday, July 5, 2012. He was 84 years of age. August was born on October 17, 1927, to Clemence and Elizabeth (nee Prante) Toennies at Oldenburg, Garrel, Germany. He received all of his formal education in Germany, then served in the German army during the Second World War from mid-November 1944 until the end of the war in May 1945, first in Denmark and then in East Germany. August immigrated to Canada on October 12, 1951, at the age of 23. Upon his arrival, he stayed with his uncle, Henry Prante, until he found work. Initially, August was employed by Joe Niekamp for a short while and then at the Wendeln farm where he worked for four years. At that time, he went on to Prince George, BC, hoping to find work in a logging camp but was only there for a few days as unemployment was so great there. August returned to Saskatchewan and worked for Martin Raab at St. Gregor until 1957, then to St. Peter's Abbey to work on the abbey farm. After 38 years of employment there, he retired in 1995. On June 3, 1989, August married a widow, Agnes (nee Stolmar) Torborg. Sadly, their life together was shortened due to Agnes' debilitating struggle with Lou Gehrigs (A.L.S.) disease. She died on February 28, 1996, at the age of 65. August made several trips back to his homeland; the most memorable was the trip he and Agnes made there after they were married. After living at Wolverine Heights in Muenster, he moved to Evergreen Country Home where he was able to receive the on-going daily assistance he required. August will be lovingly remembered by three brothers and one sister: Walter, Clemence, Johannes, and Hedwig, all of Germany; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins in Germany. He was predeceased by his parents, Clemence and Elizabeth (nee Prante) Toennies; two brothers and three sisters: Hubert, Paul, Maria, Elizabeth, and Anna (in infancy); and by his wife, Agnes (nee Stolmar) Torborg-Toennies. The Funeral Mass for August was held at St. Peter's R.C. Cathedral, Muenster, on Thursday, July 12, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., concelebrated by Fr. Daniel Muyres, OSB, Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB, Fr. Demetrius Wasylyniuk, OSB, and Fr. Rudolph Novecosky, OSB. Others taking part were: Jarvis Lefebvre, crossbearer; Bryce, Kalvin and Ethan Rueve, altar servers; Taylor Rueve and Justin Lefebvre, scripture readers; Kent Rueve and Sheila Lefebvre, intentions; Sheila Lefebvre and Tracy Rueve, giftbearers. Pallbearers were Miles Tonnies, Dwight Eberle, Dave Lefebvre, Justin Lefebvre, Kent Rueve and Taylor Rueve. Interment followed at St. Peter's R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to the St. Peter's Cathedral Restoration Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
