Claude L. “Cloudy” Toenyan, 79, of St. Rosa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, March 17, 2024, at the Tree of Life Assisted Living in New Munich.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa with the Rev. Daniel Walz officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.
Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Friday, March 22, at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and 9:30-10:30 a.m. March 23 at the church. Claude’s grandchildren will lead the rosary at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Claude Lawrence Toenyan was born Oct. 10, 1944, in Millwood Township, Stearns County, Minnesota, to Edward and Marie (Schmidt) Toenyan. He attended the Petermeier country school and Melrose High School through the ninth grade. He was united in marriage to Susan Scegura Aug. 23, 1969, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Anna. Claude was employed at Franklin Manufacturing from 1968 through 1970. He purchased the dairy farm near St. Rosa in 1969 and farmed there until his retirement.
Claude served in the Minnesota National Guard from 1965 through 1971 and was a proud member of the Melrose American Legion Post 101 for 37 years. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa where he served as secretary for the Holy Name Society and was an usher for many years. Claude would also lead the rosary in church prior to Mass and served as president of Catholic United at St. Rose of Lima. He was a league bowler for the New Munich League. Claude enjoyed fishing and hunting, trap shooting at the Albany Sportsmans Club and loved watching the Minnesota Twins and wildlife. Claude loved to travel, visiting all 50 states, and he also took three cruises taking him to several countries, including the Holy Land, Rome and Medjugorje.
Claude main priorities in life were his faith, family, farming and freedom.
Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Susan Toenyan of St Rosa; children Paul (Annie) Toenyan and their children, Julia, Alexa, Nathan, Noah and Jared of Greenwald, Karen Toenyan of Ward Springs, Gregg Toenyan of Ward Springs, Jason (Sarah) Toenyan and their children, Katelynn, Nolan, Jackson and Jonathon of Freeport, and Matthew Toenyan of St. Rosa; sister Jane Wielenberg of Long Prairie; and brothers Carl (Mary) Toenyan of Melrose, Harold Toenyan of New Munich, and Tom (Julie) Toenyan of Freeport; and many nieces and nephews.
Claude was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Ryan Toenyan, sister Phyllis Messer and infant brother Frank Toenyan.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.
