Claude Toenyan

Claude L. “Cloudy” Toenyan, age 79 of St. Rosa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at the Tree of Life Assisted Living in New Munich, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23 at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa with Rev. Daniel Walz officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Claude’s grandchildren will lead the Rosary at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home. 

Claude Lawrence Toenyan was born October 10, 1944 in Millwood Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Edward and Marie (Schmidt) Toenyan. He attended the Petermeier country school and attended Melrose High School through the ninth grade. He was united in marriage to Susan Scegura on August 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 served as an usher for many years. Claude would also lead the Rosary in church prior to Mass and also 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 an infant brother, Frank Toenyan.