James Noble Toavs, 79

James Noble Toavs, 79, of Columbia Falls, “went to be with the Lord” on Friday, Dec.11, 2015, at his winter home in Sun City, Arizona, under the care of his family.

Graveside services will be 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls with Pastor Jerry Buchanan officiating. Visitation will be 2 to 7 p.m. at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell with a remembrance service at 7 p.m. You are invited to share a memory of Jim at the service.

James Nobel Toavs was born on Aug. 19, 1936, the youngest son of Nicholas and Katie (Penner) Toavs at the family farm north of Wolf Point. He was raised and attended Wide Awake School until age 12. In 1945, the family moved to Columbia Falls. Jim attended youth group at First Baptist and met Ava Harder.

James married Ava E. Harder on April 3, 1955, in Columbia Falls. In 1957 they purchased a small farm west of Columbia Falls and raised their four children, Katherine, Laureen, Diane and Michael. Jim worked at Plum Creek Lumber and later at Anaconda Aluminum Company, Arco and Columbia Falls Aluminum Company. He worked himself up to chief operator in the rectifier, controlling the power. He retired in 1995.

 Jim loved to fish and hunt and soak up the sun in Arizona in the winters. He was a master “MacGyver” at every thing he touched; if there was a way to fix, it he was the man for the job.

Jim raised his kids to love the Lord and trust in Him in everything. Jim was a devoted and loving husband.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Ava; daughter, Laureen; six brothers, Theodore, Nicholas, Reuben, Wilmer, Martin and Frank; and one sister, Susie Khron.

He is survived by his children, Katherine and Jerry Choate of Sidney, Diane and Tim Werner of Crosby, North Dakota, Michael Toavs of Glendive, and son-in-law Rod Emmert of Columbia Falls; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Arlie, and Jeannie Toavs; sisters, Margaret and Tommy Heidner, Ruth and Erwin Spenst, Elizabeth Stevens and Hannah Shuttlesworth.

Stakston-Martin Funeral Home of Crosby, North Dakota, and, locally, Buffalo Hill Funeral Home are assisting with the arrangements.