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.
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