Montezuma - Bernice Toews, 84, died January 30, 2013 at Bethel Home, Inc. in Montezuma. She was born on February 28, 1928 in Chickasha, Oklahoma, the daughter of Andrew C. and Minnie (Schmidt) Koehn.

On August 13, 1950, she married Henry Toews. Henry passed away on February 16, 2004. They lived in Central Kansas before moving to Alabama in 1978. Bernice moved to Bethel Home in Montezuma on August 6, 2012.

She is a member of the Church of God in Christ Mennonite, Southern Star Congregation, Geiger, Alabama.

Bernice is survived by nine children, Ramonda Nikkel and husband Harlan of Sedan, New Mexico; Bonnie Nickel and husband Merle of Lobelville, Tennessee; Shirley Nickel and husband Kenneth of Copeland; Elberta Schmidt and husband Douglas of Emelle, Alabama; Donna Wedel and husband Don of Bloomfield, Iowa; Bonita Dirks and husband, Rodney of Emelle, Alabama; Lonnie Toews and wife Mary of Arthur, Illnois; Luella Dirks and husband Eugene of Emelle, Alabama; and Lisa Schmidt and husband Christopher of Emelle, Alabama; one sister, Irene Smith and husband Vernie of Montezuma; one sister-in-law, Marie Isaac of Moundridge; one brother-in-law, Dick Toews and wife Dorothy of Lobelville, Tennessee; 34 grandchildren; and 29 great grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Henry, Bernice is preceded in death by her parents; five brothers; four sisters; one grandson, Greg Nikkel; and two great grandsons, Benjamin and Taylor Nickel.

Funeral service will be held at Southern Star Mennonite Church in Geiger, Alabama on Monday, February 4, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. with Minister Alan Nichols presiding. Burial will follow at Souls Chapel Cemetery in Geiger. Visitation will be at Bethel Home in Montezuma on Friday, February 1, 2013 from 10:30 A.M to 11:30 A.M. and at the Southern Star Mennonite Church on Sunday, February 3, 2013 from 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Memorials are suggested to Southern Star Mennonite Church in care of Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma - PO Box 421 - Montezuma, KS 67867. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.