Connie A. Toedtli

Connie Alden Toedtli, 72, died at his Vancouver, WA home, peacefully in his sleep, Saturday evening, August 29, 2009. He had been challenged by multiple strokes over the last three years. Born in 1936 in Tillamook, OR, the son of Ernest and LaVerne Toedtli, he moved with his family to Orchards, WA in 1947, where he worked for the family dairy, Early Dawn Dairy. He graduated from Evergreen High School in 1955. After high school, he joined the Oregon Air National Guard, where he went to work full time in 1961. During this time, he worked in the motor pool, honing his bodywork and painting skills. He married his wife, Jo Ann Kays in 1962, and bought the family farm from his parents in 1963. In 1965, Connie partnered with his brother Vern Toedtli to start Todd's Auto Painting, on the old family farm. Connie left the Oregon Air National Guard in 1966 to concentrate on their newly formed business. Later renamed Todd's Auto Body, he worked there until 2001 when he retired, selling his half of the business to his brother Vern. Always looking for new opportunities, he founded Northwest Auto Paint Supplies Inc. in 1978, bringing his brother Vern in as a silent partner and recruiting their nephew to run the business. Later, selling their shares of the business, Connie looked forward to his next venture - incorporating his two sons and daughter with his love of classic American vehicles. In 1989, Connie and his wife Jo Ann started All American Classics, Inc., on that same family farm. Specializing in American vehicles from the 1930s through the 1980s, the wrecking yard is managed by son Todd, and also employs son Tracy, and daughter Terri. Even though the dairy cows were long gone, Connie never lost his love of cattle and the farm life. He maintained his beef cattle and tended his large garden until his first stroke in 2006. He was an avid reader of Western novels, and loved Country and Western music. He enjoyed taking his 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline or his 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air he had owned since 1959 to cruise-ins, and going to swap meets. Connie was a real people person, and always had a joke or a story to tell. Most of all he loved his family and grandsons. Connie leaves his wife of 47 years, Jo Ann Toedtli; his son; Todd Toedtli and his wife Lois, and their two sons, Tyler and Ryan; his son; Tracy Toedtli; his daughter, Terri Buell and her husband Rob, and their two sons Owen and Cooper. He also leaves his sisters, Donna (Everett) Timmons of Long Beach, Eileen (Dale) Abernathy of Camas, Becky Anne (David) McKenzie also of Camas; brother, Vern (Doris) Toedtli of Vancouver; numerous nieces and nephews; and many close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family wishes to thank his caregivers, Tina Berrios, Michelle Nolan, and especially Rita Belyanskaya. Rita cared for Connie for the last year and a half of his life. She never treated him like a patient, but with the love and respect of a family member. She will always be part of the Toedtli family. The greatest thanks of all, goes to his loving wife Jo Ann, who was always there for him, just as he was always there for her. Services will be held Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 12:30 p.m., with visitation Friday, September, 4, 2009, 12:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 NE 112th Avenue, Vancouver, WA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association www.mda.org.

Connie A. Toedtli

November 23, 1936 - August 29, 2009