Willard A. “Will” Toavs, age 82, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 15, 2024, in Billings, MT. Will was born on the family farm north of Wolf Point, MT, on January 16, 1941, to Abraham and Susan Toavs. He was the middle child of five sisters: Leona, Grace, Marvel, Fran, Dee, and one brother: Ferris.
Will attended Pioneer School, a one-room schoolhouse, for grades 1-8. After graduating from high school at Lustre Bible Academy in 1959, he briefly studied at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT, and the University of Minnesota. Will had many fond memories from living and working in the Twin Cities. Deciding that he wanted to make farming his life’s work, Will returned to Montana. After returning, he also served in the Montana Air National Guard for six years.
Will fell in love with, and soon married, Anita Sue “Midge” Thiessen of Lambert, MT, on Sept. 3, 1966. Their first years were spent working on farms in Larslan and north of Wolf Point. In 1969, they purchased a farm north of Wolf Point, where they raised three children, Kelly, Brent, and Janelle.
Will’s greatest loves were his faith, family, and farming. Having decided to follow the Lord Jesus Christ at a young age, his faith was the foundation of his life. In good times and bad, he drew strength from the Scriptures. Will especially loved the old hymns and fellowship times both at Bethel Mennonite Church and Gospel Fellowship Church. He served on the Bethel Mennonite Church board and the Wolf Point Hospital board for several years.
Will enjoyed spending time with his family and was grateful for special gatherings with his siblings. His grandchildren held a special place in his heart. Will’s heritage was precious to him, and he was intent on leaving a legacy of faith for his children and grandchildren. Will was kind, generous and compassionate, often encouraging others through difficult times. He loved to laugh, and we will miss the twinkle in his eye.
Will loved farming and ranching on Tule Creek Ranch. From a young age, he knew he wanted to be a farmer, even occasionally escaping class to “discuss” farming with a friend when they were in the first grade. Will had a strong work ethic and was a faithful steward of all that God entrusted to him. He saw God’s handiwork in the wide-open spaces, the changing of the seasons, and caring for the land and cattle.
After Anita passed away in 2014, he split his time between Wolf Point and Billings, finally living permanently in Billings in the fall of 2020. Will faithfully attended Emmanuel Baptist Church, where he was blessed to meet Irene Frank. They were married on Oct. 23, 2021. In their retirement, Will & Irene enjoyed attending Bible study, traveling, visiting with friends and family, and meeting friends for coffee. Will also enjoyed helping in son Brent’s hangar where they were building an airplane together.
Will was preceded in death by his first wife, Anita, his parents, Abraham and Susan Toavs, his sister, Grace (Jim) Aust, sister-in-law Judy Thiessen, and brothers-in-law, Tim (Fran) Peterson and Brian (Dee) Nelson. He is survived by his wife, Irene, Billings; children: Kelly (Michelle), Wolf Point; Brent, Billings; and Janelle (Josh) Rychener, West Fargo, ND; grandchildren: Jason Toavs, Corvallis, OR; Kaitlyn (Michael) Brown, Wolf Point; Braeden Toavs, Silverdale, WA; Johanan, Sofia, Feven, Titus, and Mita Rychener, all of West Fargo, ND; his siblings: Leona Neufeld, Marvel (Don) Willian, Fran Peterson, Dee Nelson, and Ferris (Sharon); brother-in-law, Jim (Judy) Thiessen; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Will was looking forward to meeting his first great-grandchild, baby boy Brown.
In memory of Willard Toavs, memorials can be given to Lustre Christian High School, 4 Lustre High Cir., Lustre, MT 59225
A visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point, Montana. A family graveside will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024 at the Bethel Mennonite Church Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024 at the Gospel Fellowship Church in Wolf Point, Montana.
Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday January 25, 2024
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Family and Friends Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday January 26, 2024
Bethel Mennonite Church Cemetery
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday January 26, 2024
Gospel Fellowship Church
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday January 25, 2024
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Family and Friends Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday January 26, 2024
Bethel Mennonite Church Cemetery
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday January 26, 2024
Gospel Fellowship Church
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
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Ted J. Becker says
May Willard’s Creator give him joy, peace and a share in His glory. Please greet Midge for me, Willard.
Neville & Joan Peterson says
Kelly, Brett, Janelle, so sorry to learn of your dear Dad’s passing. Willard was a special person. May you and your families be at peace in Jesus. Our love to you all.
scott taylor says
Willard was my very first septic tank job in May of 1980….We hit it off then, and for the last 44 years or so, I considered him a Christian Brother of the highest rank. Kind, gentle, witty, and so much more…Kelly, I’m so sorry to hear this, but we know with absolute confidence he’s walking those streets of gold, hand in hand with Midge, and praising his Savior forever more…God Bless..Scott.
John & Lorna Jackson says
To the family of Willard….he was such a special cousin, friend over the years of days in Montana & AZ. He was John’s best man at our wedding….remained the best man.
His love for God, his dear family, support in community and church, farming and ranching, shows that he enjoyed life. He was very special to our family. Blessings on the legacy he leaves for all of us. Love, John & Lorna
Dwaine and Bivian Wall says
Kelly & Michelle, Brent and Janelle, We sorrow but not as those without hope in The Lord Jesus. We respected your folks so much! They were part of The Gideons with Dwaine and I and prayer draws friends together. We hurt with you, yet rejoice that your Dad’s name was written down in heaven and now he is there. We keep praying for you. Dwaine and Vivian
Trudy Fox says
My deepest sympathies to all of you. Willard was such a special guy, always with a friendly smile and hello. My prayers go for all of you. Trudy Fox
Neta Thiessen Jackson says
Dear Kelly, Brent, and Janelle, Condolences to you on the loss of your dad. But what a blessing that he went so quickly without long suffering. Midge was the cousin closest to my age and was always my buddy friend among the cousins. For that reason alone, I cared for Willard as her loving husband. My husband, Dave, remembers riding in the combine with Willard on one of our visits to their beautiful farm— a special treat for a Chicago guy! What a joy that we share our faith in Jesus and his promise of eternal life. With love and heartfelt sympathy, your Illinois cousin, Neta (Thiessen) Jackson
duane pust says
Willard was a groomsman at my wedding and Katie and I always cherished Midge and Willard as great friends.
Dan R Martin says
Family of Willard,
Willard was a member of our Tuesday, Friday coffee group at MacDonalds. I only knew Willard for about a year, however we knew a number of the same people. Willard shared his farming stories with us and his flying adventures. I will miss his stories but most of all I will miss his sincerity, kindness and just a genuine nice guy. Willard really enjoyed his John Deere ATV, every time he put a new “gadget” on it we looked it over.
Pam Rychener says
Kelly, Brent, and Janelle,
I loved your parents. They were the best. He is alive and well and has been reunited with your precious mom. “When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we will sing and shout the victory.”
Mary Dillon says
My sincere sympathy to all the family. It is is comforting knowing we will see our loved ones again. Willard and Midge were always glad to see us; and we always had a good visit. Your family is remembered in my prayers. Mary Dillon
Bruce and Lori Dick says
Condolences to the Toavs family. Willard was a very kind and compassionate man. My family will always be grateful for all the times he came over to visit with my dad when he was battling cancer. It was nice seeing dad’s eyes light up, when the two of them would talk about the farms that they grew up on, north of Wolf Point, or their school days, or people that they both knew, or just about anything really.My dad thought very highly of Willard and was grateful for his friendship. I would be hard pressed to think of anyone that I have met in my lifetime that is more sincere and genuine than Willard was. He will be missed. With sympathy Bruce and Lori Dick
Carey Wallace Olson says
Rynette and I appreciated and loved Willard very much and we thank God for him. His love for Jesus and the Scriptures was exemplary. We share in his family’s grief but rejoice that he is now with Christ.