Toni Churchill

November 08, 1950 — February 13, 2026

Toni Churchill

Service Details

Toni Lynn Churchill, 75, passed away February 13th, 2026, at her home in Runnells, Iowa.

Toni was born November 8th, 1950, in Des Moines, Iowa. The Daughter of Phillip and Marilou Monteith. Toni attended East High School and remained in Eastern Polk County most of her life, a loyal Eastsider.

Toni grew up with a deep love of animals and began pursuing a Zoology degree at Iowa State before her path took a new direction after meeting Dennis in Ames. She was a free-spirited hippie with long, flowing hair, while he was a structured, numbers-loving math geek serving in the National Guard. They fell in love and eloped on her birthday November 8th, 1971, in a small church in Floyd Iowa.

They eventually settled on a farmstead in Runnells, where she brought her lifelong love of animals to life by creating her own little animal farm. She rehabbed every critter that came across her path and took in each stray.

Toni and Dennis raised three children- Annie, Megan and Seth. She was a devoted mother who worked hard to give them a wonderful childhood. From birthdays to everyday moments, she celebrated everything wholeheartedly, adding thoughtful touches that made each event feel extra special.

She never missed a single sporting event for her kids. She was there rain or shine and enthusiastically cheered from the sidelines. Beyond her family’s games, she proudly supported the Cyclones. She had a special love for antique stores and thrift shopping, always searching for treasures. She was also an incredibly crafty woman whose creativity seemed endless. Another one of Toni’s unique passions was feeding the local raccoons and opossums often so well that they would waddle away happily after visiting her yard. In her last years, she was deeply involved with helping her son succeed in his music and entertainment career. She was his biggest champion — offering encouragement, guidance, and unwavering belief in his talent every step of the way.

Becoming a Grandma was one of Toni’s greatest joys. She adored her two grandsons- Eldon and Levi and took every chance she could to spoil them — filling their days with treats, hugs, snuggles and the kind of unconditional love that only a Grandma can give.

Toni had a laugh and a smile that could light up an entire room. She never met a stranger and had a natural gift for striking up a conversation with anyone, making people feel instantly welcome and at ease. Toni had an incredible ability to find the good in every person she met, offering understanding and encouragement wherever she went. She was incredibly thoughtful, always putting others before herself and finding quiet ways to make people feel seen, valued, and loved. Whether it was a handwritten note, a perfectly chosen gift, or simply showing up when someone needed her most, her kindness never went unnoticed. Her warmth, compassion, and vibrant spirit will be missed tremendously by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Dennis; daughters, Annie (Steve Tran) and Megan (Ryan Webb); grandsons, Eldon and Levi Webb with another grandson on the way; and son, Seth.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday February 22, 2026 at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 Fourth Street SW, Altoona.

The family welcomes plants and flowers to honor her memory — except lilies, which she famously disliked. In lieu of flowers, donations can made to Animal Lifeline of Iowa.