Josephine Tolton
1926 - 2019
The family of Josephine Ida Tolton, sadly announce the loss of their dear mother, grandmother and friend to all. After a tough battle with dementia, Jo passed peacefully in Taber on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at the age of 93 years.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, January 24, 2020 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service was held at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Jo is survived by her children Brenda Loftus of Creston, British Columbia, Dwight Tolton (Barb Norgard) of Lethbridge and Gordon (Rose) Tolton of Coaldale; grandchildren Jena, Sarah, John, Rory (Tanya), Chelsea, Robyn (Devon Macleod) and Brittany (Mike) Baines; spirit granddaughter Angie (John) Fehr and their children Taya and Tysen; great grandchildren Warren, Ayla, Logan, Riley, Elijah, Zachary, John, Mona and Justine. She will also be missed by her sister-in-law Dickie (Peter) Engleson and special family member Sandy Skeith.
She was predeceased by her husband Glenn Tolton in 1997; daughter-in-law Janet Tolton (nee Slawson); son-in-law John Loftus; great granddaughter Mariah; siblings of herself and Glenn as well as several nieces and nephews.
Jo was born June 3, 1926 on the farm of her parents, Stephen and Catherine Volk, south of Grassy Lake. She was the youngest of five sisters Mary Degenstein, Katie (Van) Duncombe, Frances (Wilf) Fairless, Martha (Pete) Salamandyk and Bertha Volk; four brothers Joe Volk, Tony (Ida) Volk, Andrew Volk and Johnny (Phyllis) Volk; a large family spawning numerous nieces, nephews and descendants from the Volk tree.
Jo attended the Deer Park School District near Grassy Lake, and later attended school in Banff. After leaving school, she returned to Grassy Lake and worked as a cook on threshing crews and a nearby coal mine. In the early 1940s, she moved to Taber to live on her own and work at the Palace Hotel Café, where she met her future husband, Glenn Tolton.
Jo and Glenn were married in Kimberly, British Columbia on March 4, 1950. They began their lives together in Milk River, operating a service station and repair garage, later moving to Coutts in 1953, to operate Sunshine Service. While in Coutts, their three children Brenda, Dwight and Gordon were born. The family returned to the Taber/Vauxhall area in 1967 to farm with relatives in the CY district, and in 1975, started their own farm in the nearby area.
Jo and Glenn retired to Vauxhall in 1992. Wherever they lived, Jo and Glenn were incredibly social, community involved and maintained a wealth of lifelong friendships. After Glenn’s passing, Jo remained in Vauxhall until 2011 when she moved to Lethbridge. With advancing health challenges, Jo found her last home at Linden View in Taber.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Jo’s name may be made directly to the Good Samaritan Society, Linden View, 4700 - 64 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 0C6.