Miriam was a wonderful, strong, loving thoughtful person, exceptional Mother and will be dearly missed by many.
Miriam Ida Woodward Toland passed away May 22, 2025, just days shy of her 89th birthday.
She was born June 3,1936 in Winnemucca, Nevada to Adelle and Harold Woodward of the Woodward Ranch, Dyke, Nevada.
Miriam was raised on the ranch with her three sisters, Haroldine, Jo and Delia.
She attended the small schoolhouse located right on the ranch and graduated with Humboldt County High School class of 1954.
She worked at the Sonoma Inn (present day Winners Inn) while she was in high school, savings funds to attend floral school in Denver, Colorado.
Miriam and high school friend Janice both attended the floral school together, starting their own flower shop in Winnemucca. Miriam continued to create flower pieces for friends for many years after selling the shop.
She married Don L. Toland on April 1, 1955. They lived several places in Nevada, settling in Winnemucca.
They started a family business while raising their children.
She loved being out in the Nevada hills hunting arrowheads and purple bottles, and great at finding wild mushrooms which she cooked to perfection!
Her cooking skills were amazing. There was nothing she wouldn’t try and became adept at old family recipes as well as anything new she tried.
She shared her passion to cook with anyone who showed interest. A few of her handmade specialties included ravioli, yeast rolls, and her delicious cheesecake.
She was known for her Panetone, an Italian fruit bread that was baked in tin coffee cans, the smell fresh out of the oven was amazing!
Sugared walnuts flawlessly handled in a cast iron fry pan were a special treat, along with the anticipated and requested deep fried Crusties.
She had her recipe box and favorite cookbooks with her at Harmony Manor, just in case, freely sharing her recipes and excellent cooking advice.
Miriam always had a big vegetable garden with beautiful marigolds scattered throughout, “They keep the pests away”.
The garden kept the kitchen busy with canned vegetables, jams, jellies, fruit, tomato sauce, relish, pickles, sauerkraut, and juices to store in the cellar.
She managed to give away an immense amount of zucchini every year!
Miriam loved to fish and to hunt, bagging her last Muley buck at 78 years old.
She was skilled at cutting and wrapping all meats, beef, venison, lamb, pigs, and poultry. Her ability as an old school butcher made practical and effective use of a handsaw and several sharp knives.
When they updated to electric meat saws the men did the cutting while she continued with the slicing, boning and wrapping.
She knew how to prepare and cure hams, sausage, chorizo, corned beef and jerky. This was always a family endeavor.
Miriam loved to knit heavy zip up collared sweaters with hand drawn motifs knitted in. Many friends and family were gifted one of these beautiful sweaters.
Miriam enjoyed reading, her Thesaurus and dictionary were dog- eared and falling apart from daily use solving crossword puzzles.
She loved to tell wonderful stories of growing up, sharing the history of Winnemucca and the Woodward Ranch.
You could ask her any question of who was related to whom and she just always knew the answer.
Miriam is survived by her children: Keith (Coleen) Toland, Loreen (Nate) Blanton, Mark Toland, grandchildren: Jennifer Toland, Jeff (Amber) Toland, John (Kelse) Toland, Jessica Toland, Barbara Toland and family, Garth Toland and family, great grandchildren: Mackenzie (Fernando) Angeles, Sierra Fears, Hunter Fears, Makenna Toland, Charleigh Toland, Vynessa Y. Toland, Lee W Toland, Morgan Toland, sisters: Haroldine Searle and Delia (Rob) Nuffer, numerous nieces and nephews, longtime friend Jean McDonald
Preceded in death: parents, husband, son Lee Malcolm Toland, grandson Andrew John Blanton, sister Jo Woodward Bidart
We extend unending appreciation to the Harmony Manor nurses and CNA’s that cared for Miriam daily and loved her as much as we did.
A very special thank you to Julie and Hortencia for taking such loving care of her over the last few years.
No services are pending at this time. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Joshua Rose Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Checks may be payable to:
Lowry High School for the Joshua Rose Memorial Scholarship
Acct 900.109
c/o Andree Rose
3289 Great Basin Avenue
Winnemucca, NV 89445