Pastor Kenneth Toth

Pastor Kenneth Toth – a Copper Country native, graduated from Calumet High School with the class of 1949. After graduation he worked in Detroit for the Ford & Dodge Company. 

When the Korean war broke out, he entered the U.S. Navy, spending time in Japan during the Korean conflict. After the war, he returned to the Copper Country and worked as a mail carrier for C & H Mining Company, delivering mail to all the offices, shops, and mines. That is where he met his wife, Lillian. Ken married Lillian Hoar on Aug. 22, 1956.

Attending a Sunday evening service at the Laurium Gospel Tabernacle, Ken accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior. Feeling the call to go into the ministry, he left the Copper Country to attend college and Bible School in Minneapolis. He graduated in 1960 from North Central Bible University in Minneapolis. He was ordained in ministry in 1964.

After college, Ken worked full time at the Sears & Roebuck Co. in Minneapolis and traveled part time as an Evangelist in the Midwest – Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, holding evangelistic meetings. He pastored on weekends in Strum, Wisconsin from 1965-72 and Interim Pastor at Clear Lake, Wisconsin for three years. He also traveled as a missionary to old Mexico from 1975-77.

He was called to pastor the church of Northwoods Christian Assembly, formerly Laurium Gospel Tabernacle in the Copper Country in 1978, and he continued to do so for some 28 years. His ministry in the Copper Country was quite active. He was involved with the Copper Country Holy Spirit Conference from 1978-92; a charter member on the board. He was involved with New Creation Ministries from its beginning, working with alcoholics and those involved with drugs.

The Lord called him to minister to the sick and afflicted, especially seniors. He enjoyed doing hospital visitation and nursing home ministry. He was on WMPL radio for 32 years with prayer time – sharing and praying for the sick. He helped to build a new church just south of Calumet on U.S. 41, which was dedicated in 1995.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents, John and Katherine Toth; sister, Dorothy Carlton; and son-in-law, Tim Femrite.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lillian; and his daughters, Rebekah Femrite of Florida and Debrah (Todd) Faust of Minnesota; grandchildren, Kalley (Marshall) Tutt, Brandon Faust, Lindsee (Kris) Willis, and Amanda (Andrew) Busch; great grandchildren, Lilee and Greyson.

Funeral services will be held for Pastor Toth on May 22 at the Siskiwit on Pine Street in Calumet. Visitation to begin at 10:30 a.m. Celebration of Life service at 11 a.m. Fellowship after service. Military service at 1:30 p.m.

The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com.