In Memory of Dr. Carl E. Toben

Dr. Carl Edward Toben, age 85, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 2, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Rev. Neil Wehmas will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa, with Military Rites by the McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion of Ida Grove, Iowa. 

Visitation will be held one-hour prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. 

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Dr. Carl Edward Toben was born on August 15, 1939, to Carl Henry and Agnes Mary (Welch) Toben on a farm south of Akron, Iowa. He attended the Toben Country School through 8th grade and graduated from Westfield High School in Westfield, Iowa, in 1957. In 1958, Carl married his forever love, Janet Clare Gries, and a year later he joined the U.S. Army where he served until 1962 and received an Army Commendation Medal.

During his time in the Army, Carl decided to pursue a career in medicine. As soon as he was discharged, he began studying biology and chemistry at Morningside College where he was a member of the class of 1966. Carl received his D.O. degree from the Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in 1970. One year later, after his internship in Michigan, Dr. Toben returned to Northwest Iowa and joined Dr. John Sinnott’s practice in Ida Grove, Iowa, where the two worked together for nearly 40 years. In addition to his thriving practice, Dr. Toben served as a member of the Ida County Board of Public Health, Director of OB-GYN at Horn Memorial Hospital, Ida County Coroner, and Medical Director of the Holstein Good Samaritan Society. 

While Carl loved being a physician, the true light of his life was his family. He and Janet had three children together: Denise, Scott, and Brad. Despite the rigors of medical practice, he always made time to support his kids in their games, recitals, and academic endeavors. He loved watching them grow up and have children of their own, and he cherished his grandchildren. 

Carl was an outdoorsman with a green thumb. He spent many days on many lakes fishing and maintained a garden filled with delicious fruits and vegetables for over 50 years. He also loved restoration work, restoring many cars over the years, and sought to make them work as good as new. Carl was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, the Ida Grove School Board, and the American Legion, always staying involved in the community. Carl and Janet traveled often and they were able to see a large part of the United States, Canada, and Europe together. 

Carl is survived by his wife Janet Toben of Ida Grove, IA; children Denise Toben of Ida Grove, IA, Scott (Lisa Volden-Toben) Toben of Des Moines, IA and Brad (Patty) Toben of Sioux City, IA; grandchildren Ben Toben, Daphne (Eric) Cogdill, Nicolas Toben, Jacob (Desi) Toben, Kristina Toben, Jackie Toben, Anastasia (Mark) Russell, and Michael Toben; great-grandchildren Lincoln Cogdill, Natalie Cogdill, Miles Cogdill, Huxton Toben, Liam Toben, and Joshua Russell; brother Gene (Connie) Toben; sister Joan (Loren) Hansen; sister-in-law Alyce Toben; extended family and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents Carl H. and Agnes Toben; sister Mary (Lyle) Wegner; and brothers John and Marvin Toben.