Darlene Toenyan

Darlene A. Toenyan, age 92 of Grey Eagle, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at the CentraCare Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 27 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle with Rev. Ronald Dockendorf officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church in Grey Eagle. Christian Mothers will pray at 6 p.m. Sunday evening.

Darlene Adeline Bloxham was born January 2, 1928 in Grey Eagle Township, Todd County, Minnesota to Daniel and Josephine (Marty) Bloxham.  Darlene grew up on her parents farm where she was born. They farmed with horses and grew their own food. She attended country school until 8th grade.  On September 12, 1950, she married her neighbor and family friend, Justin Toenyan in South St. Paul, Minnesota. After living in South St. Paul for a short time, the couple moved to Grey Eagle and Darlene began helping her parents on the farm. Years later, Justin and Darlene owned and operated Toenyan Oil Company Inc. from 1963 to 1982. Darlene enjoyed gardening, canning, fishing, playing Bingo, and spending time with her family.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle and the Christian Mothers.

Survivors include her children, Gary (Sandy) Toenyan of Melrose, Debra (Jim) Welz of Melrose, and Jim (Cheryl) Toenyan of Grey Eagle; grandchildren, Brian Toenyan, Kim (Chad) Gaebel, Dustin (Ashley) Welz, Kayla (Paul) Welz-Schulzetenberg, Jessica (Greg) Nelson, Stephanie (Nate) Brenner, and Brandon (Amber) Toenyan; grandson-in-law, Mark Fiedler; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Justin Toenyan on July 29, 1981; grandson, Taylor Toenyan in 2016; granddaughter, Lisa Fiedler in 2018; sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret (Art) Meagher and Amelia (Sylvester) Ricker.

Serving as casket bearers will be Dustin Welz, Brandon Toenyan, Brian Toenyan, Jessica Nelson, Stephanie Brenner, Kim Gaebel, and Kayla Welz. Cross bearer will be Cameron Gaebel and scripture bearer will be Adam Fiedler. Gift bearers will be Kaiden Gaebel, Carson Gaebel, and Parker Welz. Readers will be Stephanie Brenner and Kirsten Fiedler. Petitions will be read by Jessica Nelson. Eulogies will be by Kim Gaebel and Kayla Welz-Schulzetenberg.