Gertrude Toews (1850–1943)

Gertrude Toews Claassen

1 Feb 1850 – 5 Feb 1943, born at Altmünsterberg, died at Beatrice (Nebraska)

Christopher’s 2nd great-grandmother · ancestor no. 23 · generation 5
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

• Parents: Jacob Toews (1819–1877) and Sara Reimer (1828–c.1883)
• Spouse: Johann Claassen (1840–1886)
• Family notes: Johann Claassen + Gertrude Toews (m. 1869)
• Children in this vault: Anna Gertrude Claassen (1878–1971)

Life and evidence

Born at Altmünsterberg near Marienburg, West Prussia, to Jacob and Sarah (Reimer) Toews. Baptized 1867 by Elder Gerhard Penner into the Heubuden congregation. Widowed 1886; died 1943.

In their lifetime

• 1852 — 1852 Swiss Mennonites found Berne, Indiana
• 1869 — 1869 The Fieguths move from Prussia to Am Trakt
• 1874 — 1874 Military service ends the exemptions
• 1940 — 1940 MCC relief in Vichy France
• 1941 — 1941 Civilian Public Service begins

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n24926976["Jacob Toews (1819–1877)"]
  n30980422["Sara Reimer (1828–c.1883)"]
  n58047152["Gertrude Toews (1850–1943)"]
  n35891309["Peter Toews (fl. 1819)"]
  n13487032["Katharina Siemens (fl. 1819)"]
  n58047152 --> n24926976
  n24926976 --> n35891309
  n24926976 --> n13487032
  n58047152 --> n30980422
  class n24926976,n30980422,n58047152,n35891309,n13487032 internal-link;

Sources

• MLA Biograph Wiki
• Christlicher Bundesbote (Feb 23, 1943) and MWR (Feb 18, 1943)

Narratives and research

• History: 1852 Swiss Mennonites found Berne, Indiana, 1869 The Fieguths move from Prussia to Am Trakt, 1874 Military service ends the exemptions, 1940 MCC relief in Vichy France, 1941 Civilian Public Service begins, Faith traditions
• Congregations: Heubuden Mennonite congregation
• Sources: MLA Biograph Wiki

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.