Obituaries

Fred Anthony Stephen Toensing of Barbeau, Michigan, joined the angels in heaven with his harmonica in hand on April 15, 2025, under the tender care of his family and staff at the White-Wiles Home in Rudyard, Michigan. He was born on January 11, 1956, in Toledo, Ohio, to Marvin and Theresa (Black) Toensing.

Fred attended Good Shepherd School and Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School in Toledo. He played several sports, but his passion was wrestling where he competed in the heavy weight division. He was a tenacious competitor, and he helped Cardinal Stritch become a state power in 1973. In 2021 he was inducted into the Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School Hall of Fame.

He will be lovingly remembered as a fun-loving and friendly person who accepted everyone, sincerely believing “it takes all kinds” to make the world go ‘round. Fred enjoyed his young adult travels across the U.S. during the peace, love, and rock-n-roll era and with the United States Army. He moved to the U.P. with his young family because he envisioned a rural life for them, which he supported with hard work at any job he could find until becoming a high-pressure boiler operator for the State of Michigan. Fred retired from the State of Michigan in 2015.

In 2007, he married his sweetheart Connie and together they enjoyed over seventeen wonderful years of adventure as they traveled, played endless amounts of pool, and finally made Fred’s dream of watching his Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field come true.

He was a lifelong music lover who took great joy in playing the harmonica. He was known for joining a jam session or jumping on stage anytime he could or just sitting on a stump out in the woods, playing for himself and the critters. Fred was a prolific pool player who would joke that he learned his shooting skills in his “misspent youth.”

Fred is survived by his wife, Connie; children, Julie (Dan) Wallis and Tyler (Jenna) Toensing; stepchildren, David (Dana) Bonnee and Dan (Angie) Bonnee; grandchildren, Mason, Hudson, Gavin, Eddie, Kaelynn, and Wyatt; siblings, Dewitt Toensing, Theresa Gerke, Grace Toensing; chosen brother, Jerry Strauser; and a 70-pound lap dog, Cornwallis Shinndiggitty Divot, Fred’s faithful companion of the past 11 years.

Fred was predeceased by his parents, Marvin and Theresa; and brother, Elmer Toensing.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, May 9, 2025, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Bruce Township Hall, 3156 E. 12 Mile Rd Dafter, Michigan. Bring your instruments for the open mic/jam session.

Those who wish to contribute to Fred’s memory are encouraged to consider Hospice of the EUP, 308 W. 12th Ave. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.